Mason Unrein: capstone

Abstract

The artist's statement: My personal interests have always been central to my art making. Thus, animals leap prominently into my work, helping me tell stories both fictional and not. Storytelling has always been a leading factor in my designs; I won't make something if I don't feel it has something meaningful to offer the reader. As narrative has become more than just representing a simple story, I became more aware of my impact beyond simply being a narrator. I now think more deeply about my material choices, what copper brings to the work conceptually, what certain stones indicate, how ink color choices matter, simple moves like that. But even those considerations have started to evolve, and I’ve become hyper-aware of the impact my art making has on the planet. I think about my relationship to animals, and how valuable they are to this planet and to me, trying to make people aware of their stories and value their existence as much as I do. I am now also more aware of my personal relationships, and the value of not just living them, but in retelling them further beyond my own mind. My artwork doesn't look at all like where I started, both technically having achieved a higher level of quality, but also allowing me a deeper comprehension of my life and what makes my lived experience so special. My work gives value to the seemingly small parts, as those can speak the loudest in the mundanity.