Month: April 2025

I have selected Liberty by Constantino Brumidi. This painting was done in 1869, and was commissioned for the White House by President Ulysses S. Grant. The painting is an allegorical representation of “Liberty” and was commissioned alongside another painting, Union. These pieces represent the post-Civil War resurgence and indivisibility of the Union.

Brumidi’s painting depicts one woman, who is meant to be Liberty, wearing a white dress and draped red fabric. She holds a sword in her right hand, and a staff and a laurel wreath in her raised left hand. There is a red ribbon tied around the top of the staff, and there is an american flag that appears to be either also grasped in her left hand or attached to the staff, and it is flowing behind her. Lastly, a gold star shaped crown adorns her head. 

This painting personifies the American idea of liberty, and the feelings and symbols that are associated with it.

The painting is tinted gold with the woman representing liberty structured in power with her chin tilted upwards towards the light source. The whole piece is generally bright, and the woman’s stance and weapons showcase strength, pushing a positive and patriotic connotation into the work.

I think that in my remake I can take the objects and lessen their impact in the piece. I would like to keep the feeling of empowerment brought on by the main subject, but I would like to take away some elements/ somehow alter them to fit into the background pattern, to make the meaning of the piece more abstract and able to pull different meanings from the piece.

I would like to take the American flag, the laurel wreath, and the ribbon elements from the original painting and combine them into a pattern. I think if I alter them into a floral like pattern that could fit in with the soft lighting and overall image. I would like to use these elements to create my own pattern because I think it will be a cool way to reimagine the original work of art.

Lulu Coll- 

 Research Summary

The Belles Heures of Jean de France, Duc de Berry is a beautifully illuminated manuscript made by the Limbourg Brothers in the early 1400s. It was commissioned by the Duke of Berry, who was known for being a huge art lover and collector. This manuscript was created for his personal devotion, but it’s also a major flex—it shows off his wealth, power, and refined taste. The book is filled with vibrant, detailed images that mix religious stories with scenes of everyday life, all done in incredibly intricate detail with gold accents and rich colors.

One of the most famous scenes in the manuscript is the Adoration of the Magi, which is what I’m focusing on.

 What the Painting Literally Depicts

In this scene, we see the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus while three kings (also known as the Magi) kneel before them to offer gifts. Joseph is nearby, and the whole thing takes place in a stable-like structure. The kings are dressed in elaborate robes, and their gifts are decorated and luxurious. There’s also a glowing star above them that guided them there. It’s a very literal and detailed representation of the biblical story of the three wise men visiting Jesus. 

 What the Painting Symbolizes

This moment is symbolic of recognition and reverence. The three kings are seen as representatives of different parts of the world, so their visit shows that Jesus is being acknowledged as divine by all people, not just the local community. The gifts they bring also carry deeper meaning: gold for royalty, frankincense for divinity, and myrrh for the suffering that’s to come.

On top of the religious meaning, the whole scene also subtly reflects the Duke of Berry’s desire to connect himself with spiritual importance. By commissioning this kind of art, he wasn’t just being devout , he was reinforcing his elite status and legacy.

 What It Connotes or Suggests

Even though it’s a religious image, there’s definitely an undertone of performance and power here. It feels like the Duke wanted this to be both a prayer book and a status symbol. The richness of the imagery makes it clear that this wasn’t just about faith, it was more  about how faith was displayed. To me, it brings up ideas about how spirituality can sometimes be used to build an image or reinforce social standing.

Looking at it today, it’s easy to draw comparisons to how people present themselves on social media, curating their lives to appear a certain way, even when it’s deeply personal or spiritual.

 How My Remake Will Relate

In my remake, I want to explore the idea of modern image-making and performative devotion.

I am going to draw myself normally but give the background more of a gothic pattern vibe, what I will wear is up for determination.

Alternatively, I might flip the power dynamic entirely, and have everyday people—like a nurse, a delivery driver, or a single parent—offering something simple but meaningful, to show how quiet acts of devotion or kindness often go unrecognized.

 Pattern Choice

I’d love to use a pattern that adds to the concept—something decorative but with a twist. One idea is a Renaissance-style floral or gold pattern that slowly breaks apart or glitches, to represent how traditional structures (like the church, nobility, or even authenticity) are being questioned today. The pattern will act like a frame or backdrop to help visually reinforce whatever message I’m exploring in the piece.

Step 1: 10 Reference Images

Step 2: Written Response

Under the new administration, stricter immigration laws have resulted in more detained immigrant families with young children, and more international students. To many, the reasons for these detainments may seem unfair and unjustified and as a result. I have chosen this topic because as a daughter of immigrants, I empathize with the stories and struggles of those who come to the U.S. seeking a better life. It is heartbreaking to see families who have worked hard to establish themselves and provide a better future for their children suddenly and  aggressively detained due to their immigration status.

In my research for this project, I learned about a recent event of an undocumented immigrant family, including their young child, who was arrested by ICE. I want to include a representation of this detained child in my drawing as well as an  ICE police officer to draw attention to the unnecessary aggressiveness and brutality of the enforcement efforts, which often result in the vulnerability, emotional trauma, and tragedy for immigrant families and their young children. I want to represent this event in an objective and realistic manner to elicit an emotional and resonant response by focusing the composition on the sadness and vulnerability of a young, detained child. So, I hope to emphasize the emotional fear, and vulnerability that undocumented immigrant families currently face as a result of immigration laws and the hostile efforts of ICE.

Step 3: Thumbnail Sketches

I’ve chosen to explore climate protests and environmental action, focusing on the emotional and symbolic connection between humans, animals, and the Earth. With the increasing impact of global warming, extinction, and natural disasters, the planet’s suffering is being echoed in passionate climate protests around the world. I was drawn to this topic because of how deeply it connects people, animals, and nature and how visual the crisis has become.

My drawing will feature two central figures: a young climate activist and a symbolic representation of the Earth Possibly a woman with cracked skin and flowing rivers for hair, or a globe being held like a fragile object. Around them, I’ll include endangered animals (like polar bears, sea turtles, and birds) either interacting with the figures or fading into the background. A suited corporate figure or politician may appear distant or indifferent in the scene.
Another idea is a hand holding up a match burning earth.

I’ll represent the issue from a rhetorical point of view, evoking empathy for the planet and animals. I want the viewer to feel a sense of urgency, grief, and hope. I’ll use expression, symbolic interaction, and dramatic mark-making to reflect themes of loss, responsibility, and connection.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MgiNZ_uMAg5J9V8ruIq_bzKheEhj4dCjhvStVrSN77E/edit?usp=sharing

I have chosen to depict the growing digital addiction surrounding TikTok and AI usage and its potential impact on cognitive development. This artwork will feature everyday users—young and old—lost in the endless scroll of digital feeds, symbolizing how modern technology captivates their attention. A central character, representing an archetypal user, appears physically present but mentally distant, absorbed by a vivid, glowing screen. In the background, a symbol representing TikTok and AI’s relentless allure, its many eyes reflecting the hypnotic patterns of viral trends. There will also be a focus on the brain, which will be leaving the body- to show how these programs can affect our minds.

This representation is meant to show the dangers of technology, presenting the effects it has on the mind. The emotions conveyed are tension, distraction, and a faint melancholy—a portrayal of intellectual fatigue and diminishing focus. This is achieved through the use of fragmented linework, and contrasting digital light against the human face. Ultimately, the piece invites viewers to reflect on how constant connectivity might be gradually undermining our cognitive functions

My topic would be genetic engineering to revive extinct species, inspired by the recent development of wooly mice. While fascinating from a scientific perspective, I feel the fanfare around this achievement shows a human tendency to distract ourselves with the future to stop thinking about the issues of today. 

The characters in this picture are the wooly mouse and the mummified wooly mammoth (based Lyuba, an actual specimen). The former represents the excitement of scientific achievement, but also humanity’s fascination with futurism and its use as escapism from the present. Engineering new, intriguing species, but neglecting the countless animals in need of conservation and support. The latter represents the grim reality of decay and extinction, representing both species lost to time and those on the verge of extinction. The corpse of Lyuba stands as a stark reminder, that if humanity does not start caring about the present, it will repeat the mistakes of its past and destroy any biodiversity our planet has left,

My stance on this view is subjective, as I believe one cannot ignore the past and present in their pursuit of the future. Progress is good, but our current reality cannot be forfeited to achieve it. 

The emotional core of this drawing is the contrast between the palatable, pleasant visage of the mouse (the appetizing idea of futuristic progress) contrasted with the shriveled, grim reality of decay and extinction evoked by the mummified mammoth. 

I chose to focus on Pepsi buying Poppi because I care a lot about people eating healthy, and this deal feels like a turning point. Poppi built its brand around gut health and natural ingredients, and now that a massive company like Pepsi owns it, I’m wondering if it’ll stay the same. Will they keep the ingredients clean, or will things slowly change to boost profit?

In my drawing, I want to show Poppi as a more petite, brighter figure—fresh and happy-looking—next to a more prominent Pepsi figure that feels more corporate and a little overpowering. I might also add a person who represents everyday people, like the average consumer, caught in the middle of this deal and unsure what to think.

I’m not going for an objective look—I want to show my point of view. I’m skeptical. I’ll try to show how Poppi and Pepsi interact, maybe through their body language and facial expressions. I want the drawing to reflect hope but also concern and show the tension between a trustworthy brand and a company known for being more profit-driven.

The topic that I have chosen is texturism because though it hasn’t gotten as much attention as other topics recently it is a something that relates to and is personal to me. With the threat of DEI programs being removed and discriminatory hiring slowly making a more bold return I wanted to shed a light on a less spoken on form of discriminaition that could also become more prominent under the erasure of DEI. Out of all the other topics that I though of speaking on this is the main one that I felt a burning need to use and show from a more personal point of view.

Texturism – “the discrimination and social marginalization of people with naturally tighter curl patterns or coily hair textures, while privileging those with straighter hair textures, rooted in Eurocentric beauty standards” (richlandlibrary.com).

The main characters that I will include in my drawing with be a little girl getting her hair done by her mother. There will be other people portrayed using some form of media from either a phone of a TV. I will try my best to represent this event as objective as possible because I’m not trying to persuade anyone I just want to shed a light on the different experiences texturism has led to. The emotions that often pronounce are sadness and anger which can be communicated there the expressions of the figures face’s.

I have chosen women’s rights as my topic because it is an issue that is personal to me. I want to incorporate different women and/or different ages of women into this piece, as well as possibly using my own pictures from protests and marches that I have been to myself. I think this would add a cool perspective to the piece by drawing on my own experiences, as well as make it more different with the use of my own reference photos. I will be representing this piece in a rhetorical manner due to the fact that with this topic I already have implicit bias and strong beliefs in relation to it. I think my stance will be drawn out clearly due to the lens of protesting I am planning on projecting through. I think my topic has a lot of underlying emotions, and that mix of feelings propels the idea of fight and hope, and I think this idea can be shown within my characters faces as well as through the writing on posters and/or banners.