MFA Sculpture Portfolio Critique

This video provides a critique of art art school portfolio, starting with an overview of the portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork.

Topics discussed include aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress.

Critique led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Lauryn Welch. Portfolio by Hannah McCasland.

“During my undergraduate studies my work revolved around house vs home, revealing the realities of home on the exterior surfaces of my sculptural houses.

I was interested in houses as a facade for the dream of family, childhood and stability. But also how this can be hindered by a dysphoric neglectful reality. This has led me to want to better understand what is behind the facade of individuals who have experienced trauma.

I am currently exploring the inner tolls and effects trauma can have on the human body and psyche. I see my work as a pathway between internal and external, revealing the often invisible toll of the neglected and traumatized mind.

The forms I create are influenced by architecture which stands as a metaphor for the human body. I see parallels between abandoned, neglected and deteriorating structures and the state of those who have experienced trauma. The honesty of deteriorating architecture attracts me to its visual language.

My own experience with childhood trauma has led my process of creating to become a release of the cycle of trauma. My work is a reflection of searching for stability and structure within chaos, as well as an understanding of traumatic experience both personally and universally.

I see the surface of my sculptures as an accumulation of feelings, emotions and expression of the invisible inner struggle.

My process deals with deterioration, focusing on the deterioration of architecture, and how I can experiment with materials to deteriorate themselves. More specifically with ceramics, pushing and layering the material with multiple firings, slips and glazes.”

Hannah McCasland