Location: Olin - Cyrus M. Running Art Gallery
A01. “Eye Witness to Myself”
Artist: Gabby Brown
Artist’s Statement
Amongst navigating my identity from crisis as I transition through college, I come to find myself reflecting on the self-awareness of my identity while attempting to conform to norms that I believed were expected of me. Through this analysis, I have come to understand that I do not have to conform at all, instead stand as my own being. The process of this work stands out the most, as each individual eye was hand-crafted differently each time they were created, adding more depth to the analysis of the self. Within my work, the exaggerated anatomical eye and the use of various perspectives became a deeper meaning for myself. From the exploration of my identity, this work provides a confrontation of the self, where the viewer is forced to be faced with the central eye that is staring back at them. This confrontation, amongst the various eyes both staring at the viewer and at the central eye, alludes to this idea of the viewer stepping into the headspace of questioning one’s own identity. While the overwhelming amount of eyes stare at the central eye and at the viewer themselves, this brings an uncomfortable, eeriness within the viewer as it then puts them into a new perspective of seeing, thinking, and feeling.
A02. “In Memorial”
Artist: Celeste Cone
Artist’s Statement
These four drawings were made to incapsulate the memories and energy of pets that have passed and pets that are still alive. The drawings on white paper are of the pets that have passed away, titled In Memorial – Princess and In Memorial – Spaz. The two on colored paper, orange and green, are the pets who are still alive. Titled In Memorial – Luke and In Memorial – Mr. Tubbs. Princess, Spaz, and Mr. Tubbs are all cats, and Luke is the only dog. The paper reflects the energy of Mr. Tubbs and Luke. Mr. Tubbs, green, has always been calm and affectionate. The green also represents his eye color, as it was one of the reasons why he was picked to live with us. Luke, orange, has a very chaotic and energetic personality. Brought home as a puppy, we watched him grow from a very hyper puppy that would eat just about anything to a less, but still hyper, dog that will still try to eat anything he can. Princess, a very calm but skittish cat, was living with us back when we lived in Idaho. She was an outside-turned-inside cat that loved her personal space and my mom. We had lost her to old age; after moving to Minot, she lived a very happy, loving life. Spaz, an energetic, more so than Luke, kitten was bought from a pet store after the 2011 Minot flood. She was named after these episodes of chaotic energy spurts that she would get, and we would lovingly call “Spaz attacks”. Hopefully, viewers get the same energy and feel the love that was given, and is given, to these loving pets.
A03. “Nostalgia in Color”
Artist: Valentina Penaloza
Artist’s Statement
As a multimedia artist, I explore themes of identity, womanhood, and cultural heritage through watercolor and acrylic painting. My work reflects my Venezuelan roots and my experiences as a first-generation immigrant, creating a visual dialogue between personal and collective history. Through vibrant color palettes, layered textures, and symbolic imagery, I seek to evoke nostalgia, memory, and displacement. Working primarily with acrylic on canvas and watercolor, I incorporate mixed media elements such as fabric and found objects to establish a tactile connection to history. These materials allow me to blend traditional and contemporary artistic practices, reinforcing the layered complexity of identity and belonging. Influenced by Latin American surrealism, my work draws inspiration from artists such as Frida Kahlo and Remedios Varo. Their dreamlike compositions and symbolic narratives resonate with my exploration of the subconscious and the ways personal and cultural identities intertwine. Additionally, my upbringing in a multicultural household informs my investigation of dual identities, adaptation, and the tension between past and present. Through my art, I aim to create spaces for reflection on heritage, transformation, and self-discovery. As I continue to develop my practice, I am interested in further exploring the intersection of traditional media and expanding how I tell stories through visual art.
A04. “Blinders”
Artist: Cooper Folkestad
Artist’s Statement
This body of work explores the complexities of identity, race, and having an African American body in the persistent shadow of racial discrimination. With these self-portraits, I invite viewers into uncomfortable spaces, where the weight of being Black in rural mid-west becomes palpable. Each image serves as an expression of the internal struggles I navigate daily: the subtle and overt tensions of existing in environments where I am often the only one who looks like me, where my very presence challenges unspoken norms, and where my identity is constantly in flux, shaped by external perceptions and internal reckonings. The discomfort I feel is not only personal. It is a shared experience that resonates with many people of color – past, present, and future. These black and white photographs confront the racial realities that have left me, and many others, questioning our identities in a world that often seeks to define us. Pay close attention to the tightness, my positioning, others’ gazes, and the harsh lighting that serves as a visual metaphor for the emotional and physical unease I feel daily. Each detail is designed to provoke discomfort, to put the viewer in a space in which they are forced to feel what it is like to endure the weight of discrimination. The discomfort you feel as a viewer is not just an aesthetic choice—it is a call to empathy and a challenge to confront the realities of racial injustice. Through these images, I hope to invite dialogue, where the negative moments of my life become the catalyst for change, understanding, and shared humanity.
A05. “A Reflection of Me: A Body of Work”
Artist: Kaija Martin
Artist’s Statement
I have created oil paintings that display a reflection of myself in both body and color. Through my process I was draw to the different aspects of myself and finally landed on the body and mind and how I could combine them. Through depression and pain that I have come to experience these last few years I needed a way to let it go and regain that part of me that I found beauty in. The colors of the paint and pastels were chosen with mental health in mind. The poems next to each work speak about different aspects represented in each painting and are to add to the story of the piece. My hope is that even though this is my own personal display of my body, perhaps many if not most, will think about their own and how they connect with themselves through body and mind.
A06. “The Sleep of Ptolema”
Artist: Aileen Xiong
Artist’s Statement
The name Ptolema (Ptoemaios), drawn from Greek, means “warlike” or “aggressive.” My work explores the historical weight of the male gaze, reimagining the female subject. Ptolema, (the sleeping body) is within sleep and unconscious, a universal symbol of comfort and vulnerability. The sleeping body is the site of attention–as traditionally, throughout history, art has framed the naked female subject in stillness and submission. Ptolema’s sleep is beyond viewer consumption. Just towering at the scene’s heart, one woman returns a gaze to the viewer–unflinching, unsettling, and unyielding–confronting the history and the viewer. The viewer who was once in control is now being examined. Through this act, I mainly sought to invert the narrative, forcing reflection on how women have been subjectified and framed throughout time. It is a strong reclaiming of the presence of dialogue between the past and the present.
A07. “Rooted in Rosemaling”
Artist: Sophie Vigesaa
Artist’s Statement
My family comes from Sweden and Norway. My great grandpa immigrated to the US from Sweden, my mom has cousins who live in Sweden and have a sheep farm. My family has some of the traditional Scandinavian foods during holidays and rosemaling is shown throughout my grandparents’ houses. These pieces of art connect to my major because it ties in multiple mediums and styles of art. Rosemaling/folk art is typically done on wood so changing the base of the piece caused me to experiment with the best style of glazing that will hold the integrity of the traditional folk art while remaining food safe and long-lasting durability. It is a lot of experimenting and learning new things along with strong ceramic technique and glaze painting. This collection is a celebration of the intersection between functional and decorative objects, where the beauty of the design enhances the beauty of the form itself. Through these pieces, I invite the viewer to not only appreciate the visual richness of the work but to also reflect on the continuity of artistic traditions and the way they evolve over time. My hope is that these ceramics will serve as both a personal and cultural expression, connecting the past to the present, and offering a new perspective on an art form that has always celebrated beauty, nature, and storytelling.