President's Showcase
Nicolina Morra she/her
Supervising Professor: Carrie Ann Baade
Nicolina Morra is a senior Studio Art major, with minors in Art Entrepreneurship and Italian Language. She is interested in material culture as well as associations with identity and memory through objects. Her work has been included in exhibitions at La Luz de Jesus Gallery, Thomasville Center for the Arts, and the Gadsden Art Center & Museum. Additionally, her work has been published in the Kudzo Review and SIX Magazine. She has interned for Il Bisonte Foundation in Florence, Italy, Professor Carrie Ann Baade, and is on the College of Fine Arts Leadership Council. She will be graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in spring 2025.
Abstract
Handbags occupy a unique and important place in the lives of many individuals, serving as functional survival kits, precious objects, and intensely personal receptacles. In a world where violence against women, non-binary, and transgender individuals is an ever-present threat, the contents of these handbags—ranging from good luck charms and identity cards to self-defense tools like pepper spray and knives—reveal a profound interplay between self-expression and personal safety. This project examines how these everyday items contribute to a material 'portrait' of the individual, reflecting the balance between personal identity and the need for protection. Through a series of oil paintings, informed by interviews with individuals about their personal handbags, the project delves into the symbolism of these items and the complex dynamics they represent. The research integrates artistic exploration with academic insights from sociology and material anthropology, highlighting the tension between self-defense tools and personal artifacts. By blending surrealist and realistic techniques, this work provides a nuanced narrative of how individuals navigate societal pressures and assert their identities. Beyond a creative research endeavor, this project signifies a commitment to fostering dialogue and empathy on social issues, using art as a transformative tool for awareness and positive change.
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