Breakthrough

Author:

Kutay, Hollace L

Area of Honors:

Art

Degree:

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Document Type:

Thesis

Thesis Supervisors:

Elizabeth F Quackenbush, Thesis Supervisor
Angela Renee Rothrock, Thesis Honors Advisor

Keywords:

Art
Ceramics
Art History
Sea Life
Porcelain
Sculpture
Environmentalism

Abstract:

The body of work I created for my senior thesis is the culmination of my time here at the Pennsylvania State University. The pieces that make up “Breakthrough” represent the personal strides I have made in both technique and content. This grouping of work showcases the personal inspiration instilled within from years of vacationing on Grand Cayman Island, as well as my love of French antiques and the culture of 19th century aristocratic France. By combining these two very different interests, I have succeeded in creating pieces that push one’s imagination and understanding of the natural world. Therefore, this body of work speaks to both the time period from which many of the forms arose, while also adding a contemporary spin. Highlighted are current environmental issues as well as my own history with the ocean and the creatures that inhabit it. All pieces in “Breakthrough” are created out of porcelain and glazed entirely white, with small areas accentuated in gold luster. The clay body, glaze, and overall form of these functional objects is reminiscent of traditional French porcelain techniques, while the imagery is procured from my own experiences.