Mythology of Control

Author

Allison Ann Roberts, Minnesota State University - Mankato

Abstract

Mythology of Control is a personal, visual account of reacting to the turmoil of life and relationships, recognizing the inherent fragility often disguised by a façade of strength. Layering and obscuring imagery creates a metaphor for coping- constantly redefining perceptions, plans, and expectations. The printed imagery evokes a vague recognition or familiarity, alluding to unassembled schematics that are fictional but suggest credibility, rather than specific, identifiable forms. Cloth, in the form of blankets or quilts handed down within families, absorbs history and memory, becoming a material archive. My link between personal history and impermanent states is supported by senses of memory, frustration, and a subtle optimism. The layering in the works on paper builds repeated silkscreened images in a manner that shows the hand of the artist, creating layers that are similar, yet changed- a direct reference to human responses and actions which are constantly changing yet rooted in individual personalities. The gestural lines, smudges, and squeegee marks create a surface of imagery that reflects memory, past history, and the emotional scars that form the basis for each new response. There are no pristine surfaces, no forgetting, no complete erasures. The work shows an ultimately flawed and misguided attempt to control expectations, control others' actions, control responses, and try to make something permanent in a world of change.

Advisor

Liz Miller

Committee Member

Jonathan McFadden

Committee Member

Russell Palma

Date of Degree

2013

Language

english

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

College

Arts and Humanities

Recommended Citation

Roberts, A. A. (2013). Mythology of Control [Master’s thesis, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/337/

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License