Chelsie Thomas
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All of my works stem from a memory or a key concept in my own life. My pieces have evolved in imagery and symbolism from my earlier works. Building on each concept has helped my pieces to develop, and become strong works of art. As an artist I want to share my life experiences with others, pushing them to make a connection from my work to their own lives.
My goal is for my work to convey my thoughts to others in a playful style. I want my voice to be heard, and for my work to make others think about what it means to them. I would like each viewer to take something away from my piece. Whether it be an emotion my piece makes them feel, or a question they are left wondering. I want my work to make an impression. All of my work is deliberate and intentional in meaning, and has a connection with which I would like the viewer to apply to their own lives. Art is a way of communicating thoughts and expressing my values to those around me. I am an artist because I have a voice, capable hands, and a creative mind.
I choose to use metal because I think it suits my personality. I have a very “hands on” approach to life, and I think that metal requires that approach. I like engineering the metal to do what I want it to, and solving the problems it creates. Metal is a hard material that challenges an artist to better themselves physically and mentally. Loving the material you work with paves the way of success.
There is not one concept to define my work. However my work is connected by the playful style in which they are fabricated. Every piece has an interactive element or mechanism that makes the work unique to me. These mechanical devices, or interactive elements help to invite the viewer into my piece. If my piece looks like it should be played with or held, it will ask the viewer to think more critically about why it does what it does. In conclusion, the viewer plays a more hands on role in my work, leaving a bigger impression in their lives. I think that this style makes my work inviting, and provokes questions of concept and meaning. I make these decisions so that the viewer can feel more connected to my piece. I want the viewer to be so engaged that when they leave they are left thinking about my work.
Diversity Project
My Project is about diversity. Diversity is an issue that many of us are untouched by until it directly affects our own lives. Each spray paint bottle is a color of the rainbow which is probably the biggest symbol of diversity in the world….now imagine each of you is wearing a brooch. The brooch you wear is a symbol of yourself. The purpose of the bottles are to tag others empty brooches. When someone’s brooch becomes tagged they have been touched by diversity. For instance you find out that your sister is gay…your brooch is tagged but you may not even notice. Later you see two girls holding hands and it makes you think of your sister. You wonder if they are gay. Then you realize that you have been tagged. Your life is now affected by diversity.
The bottles are all held in the base labeled no hate. The idea of this piece is to bring awareness of different life styles, choices, religions, differences, etc.
