Trigger Warning: The following article delves into topics such as suicide, gun violence and self-worth. Viewer discretion is advised.
The doors of the Fine Arts Gallery Exhibition swung open to reveal the inspiring and thought-provoking artwork of three UT Martin Seniors on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. The seniors in question were Matthew Mancusi, Lauren Jewell and Sabrina Woods who presented these works of art as their senior theses titled “I’m Fine,” “When Will it End?” and “Reflections of Worth,” respectively. The presented works included standard paintings, clay and ceramic sculptures and sketches and installations, each reflecting a different aspect of the artists’ creative talents.
According to his bio, Matthew Mancusi was born in Kansas City, Missouri on June 24, 2001 to UT Martin Music Professor Robert Mancusi. Despite being the son of a music educator, he developed an interest in visual art once he started attending college. Mancusi’s thesis, “I’m Fine,” is based around the mental illnesses and dark thoughts he has always struggled with. His proudest work is titled “The Methods We Use” and is composed of several ceramic sculptures that represent the various methods individuals act upon to attempt suicide. In his artist statement, Mancusi said “I use my artwork as an outlet of stress relief as well as an opportunity to bring awareness to others [of] what it is like to deal with these illnesses and end some of the stigmas that are tied to them…My work is here to help those suffering.”
Mancusi intends to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Studio Art.
Lauren Jewell currently lives in Martin, Tennessee, and has exercised her passion for art ever since she first became acquainted with her middle school art teacher. Her thesis, titled “When Will it End?” focuses on the heavy subject of gun violence in America, especially in schools. Several of her art pieces portray the horrific aftermath of school shootings, demonstrating the frightening realities many students and teachers have lived through. Her proudest work, “Every 2 in 8 Die,” embodies this fear best by showing the desks of deceased students, whose graduation caps communicate chilling messages such as “I mattered” and “I’m Afraid.” Jewell explained her motivations in her artistic statement, which read, “Giving the topic of gun violence a tangible form allows it to be more impactful than just seeing statistics. I hope that my art is a path to open discourse about the issues of gun violence in Tennessee and America.”
Jewell intends to graduate with a BFA in Art Education so she can teach high school art and provide a “safe place” for her students.
Sabrina Woods is a studio artist who grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. Woods’ thesis is called “Reflections of Worth,” featuring art that emanates self-love and confidence. Almost all of her art pieces, whether they are ink sketches or sculptures, are self-portraits that present different perceptions of herself surrounded by animals like tigers and butterflies. One notable example of this is her favorite art piece, an ink painting titled “Whispers of Transformation.” Woods’s artist statement described her art’s purpose is for the audience “to connect with their own stories and see the beauty in who they are. She hopes her work can inspire others to open up, face difficult truths, and embrace self-love. Woods encourages others to value their opinions and beliefs, regardless of what their peers may think.”
This exhibition was open from Tuesday, Oct. 22 through Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024.
