Over the next few months we are offering a glimpse into the creative process of the Art Department’s graduating master of fine arts candidates, who are presenting their final thesis exhibitions throughout the spring semester. These exhibitions represent the culmination of years of dedicated study and artistic exploration, showcasing our students’ diverse talents and innovative approaches to art-making.
Graves’ focus is on drawing. She writes: “I make drawings that implement humor and radical vulnerability as a way to unsettle contrived notions of respectability, humanity, and sexuality.”
“If I cut the art speak,” she adds, “I make drawings to poke fun at propriety, appropriateness, and the power dynamics produced by those things.”
Graves’ final thesis exhibition, “You-Know-What,” will be on view at UW–Madison’s Art Lofts Gallery from March 17-30. A reception, which is free and open to the public, will take place on Wednesday, March 19, from 5 to 8 p.m.
We asked Graves to share some insights about her exhibition. Following is an edited Q&A:
How did you come up with the title of your exhibition? My thesis is named “You-Know-What.” It refers to the noun used in place of an expletive, or a reference to something that isn’t named outright but is widely understood.
What inspired you to create this work?
All of my drawings are inspired by my fabulous life. I draw from personal experiences and the absurdities I encounter, using humor to challenge the status quo.
How did you create it? The bulk of the work for this show is rendered in graphite using a mechanical pencil. The tip of this tool is incredibly fine — nothing else can match the smoothness it achieves. I spend countless hours making repetitive, circular gesticulations to produce large-scale drawings. I often joke that I might get carpal tunnel one day, but thankfully my twin sister is an occupational therapist. It’s a reminder that artists also need practical support from professionals like therapists, mechanics, and accountants.