Fabula Mea

Author/Artist Name

Lindsey DuncanFollow
Lindsey DuncanFollow

Files

Academic Level at Time of Creation

Senior

Date of Creation

Spring 4-26-2024

Artist Statement

Through digital illustration, I intertwine my personal traumatic experiences with stories from both Greco-Roman and Norse mythology as a means to process and heal. My exhibition, titled Fabula Mea (which is Latin for “my myth”) aims to highlight the effects of abuse, and how I have taken steps to overcome my past experiences.

Myths and folklore have been a special interest of mine for as long as I can remember, specifically of those I have a cultural connection to. These mythologies are laden with tales of struggle with a paternal figure, which is another reason I resonated with these stories. I use these retellings of history as a means of reclaiming my history, to make my own mythology of sorts.

The illustrations featured within my exhibition combine both mythology and my past, in somewhat abstract ways. It may not be inherently clear on what sort of myth the work is based on or how certain works and imagery relate to my past experiences. This abstraction of the concepts and ideas within my work pushes the viewer in my story, making them dig deeper into the narrative in order to piece together the meaning. Considering the topics I focus on are quite intimate and emotional, I find that having my work be more obscure adds to the viewer’s connection, allowing their own emotions and experiences to be brought up and entwined to the work.

Though I work in digital illustration, I draw a lot of my inspiration from painters, such as Hugh Steers. In his works, he uses subject matter and composition in a way I find quite interesting. Though not overly grotesque, the vulnerability and emotion he conveys is something that I do within my own work. His paintings feature heavy subjects such as sorrow and loss, which may or may not be perceived upon first glance. This level of intrigue and interaction is something that I embody within my own works, like in my Narcissus illustration. Though it is more gorey than Steers’s work, the piece is about self-sacrifice, and often having to give myself up in order to maintain perfection. I wanted this piece to have more intense imagery, but still represent the loss of one’s identity in a way that is not blatantly obvious.

I also look at the work of Meredith Marsone. Though her work is very figure-heavy, I find that her use of texture and color are used in a way that compliments her work in a very unique way. She uses it in a way that marries the foreground and background, and sometimes even makes it look as if the figure and background are conjoined in a way. Marsone’s works also tend to lean into more melancholic and pensive imagery, but does it in a way that seems more intimate than Steers’s work. Marsone makes the viewer focus on the subject and its abstract surroundings, and doesn’t give us as much information to base our interpretation on. I find this emphasis on the subject really interesting, and is something I do within my own works to keep the viewer engaged.

While each illustration has its own story behind it, this exhibition is meant to serve as a form of healing and processing. This show has been nearly a lifetime in the making, and has had its moments full of grief, anger, confusion, and sadness. Though these emotions feel all-consuming at some points, I strive to not let its roots take hold. This exhibition is proof of that; proof that I can overcome that which aims to control me.

Advisor/Mentor

Gregory Scott Cook, Dr. Antje Gamble, Jessica Fife, Woody Leslie

Description

This exhibition is made up of 10 digital illustrations mounted onto foam core, as well as a book made up of presentation paper, cardstock, and vinyl. The inspiration behind this exhibition was my childhood trauma, specifically relating to interactions with my father. I also took inspiration from stories from greek and norse mythology, as these mythologies often feature struggle with a paternal figure, as well as tragedy.

I wanted my exhibition to feel intimate and sophisticated, but still allow room for viewers to take in the works by themselves, and have their own interpretations. The subject matter is quite heavy, but I didn't want that to get in the way of people really taking in and enjoying the work. I wanted my exhibition to be a space where people could explore these stories, and see that those who have gone, or are currently going through abuse aren't stuck. This is meant to showcase my story, or my own mythology of sorts, but it also serves as a sign to those who have gone through a similar situation. Abuse is an extremely hard experience to overcome, and will stick with you for your entire life, but that does not mean you have to let it consume you.

Photo Credit

Photo Credit: Lindsey Duncan, 2024

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Duncan, Lindsey and Duncan, Lindsey, "Fabula Mea" (2024). B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498). 128.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/art498/128