Opening Reception: "Head Space" MFA Exhibition

Head Space explores identities and histories, contemporary issues, emotional and physical spaces using a variety of mediums and processes. The exhibition showcases the thesis work of Master of Fine Arts candidates in the Studio Art & Design MFA track at the UCF School of Visual Arts and Design: Alexander Alvarez, Matthew Dunn, Elaheh Jazemi, Njeri Kinuthia, Olivia Van Natta, and Jim Wysolmierski.  

Alexander Alvarez’s artistic practice exposes the grotesque consequences of our conflicting contemporary ideologies through personal and societal suffering, in search of universal connections to showcase the need for compassion and understanding. Leveraging two decades of professional experience as an illustrator and designer, Matthew Dunn creates engaging and often irreverent images exploring family, pop-culture, religion, and politics. Elaheh Jazemi’s work protests social injustice to universalize the concept of resistance and hope for equality by raising awareness and give a voice to the voiceless people despite their huge sacrifices. Through self-portraiture, Njeri Kinuthia’s work challenges and exposes the oppressive cultural norms that seek to control and limit the identity and sexuality of women, drawing inspiration from her personal journey and upbringing in Kenya. Through a fusion of botanical imagery and surreal landscape, Olivia Van Natta’s imagined scenes consumed by plant life function as a processor for the complex experience of existence in a human body. Guided by the physical and emotional turmoil of alcoholism, Jim Wysolmierski employs the body as a corporeal and allegorical account of his lived experience using visual narratives of trepidation and transformation. 

Opening Reception Feb 22 – 6-8 pm

Parking:
Free parking is available in Garage F next to the Addition Financial Arena. Parking Lot H4 or Garage I requires purchasing a $5 daily virtual visitor permit, purchase here. Please note that visitors should park in green student spaces ONLY, as the $5 daily virtual permit does not cover red and blue spaces from the hours of 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Starting at 5:30 p.m., visitors can park in red, blue and green spaces.