Cassidy Beller

Artist Statement: Often called the staff of life,  wheat  is a long-standing symbol of fertility, bounty and resurrection. In this surreal demonstration, I wrapped my body loosely with fabrics to accentuate different parts of the body. My goal for this was to have a surreal, somewhat grim feminine figure representing womanly fertility, strength, but also oppression. 1 Corinthians 11:6 " For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head."  I wrapped the hair and shoulders to represent a hijab as Mother Mary wore, who is also a symbol of fertility. The sheer fabric coming loose from the wrapped figure's chest and covering one eye represents breaking free of the  objectification of women, and dismantling of gender oppression against women. 

  Movie Inspiration: The Rocky Horror Picture Show From the film, I gathered much inspiration. A general feeling of sexual dominance, desire, flamboyance, and luxury were very present. To best describe this aesthetic in the photo, I decided to cover the table with a lustrous fabric, with rope tied in knots symbolizing sexuality, and had the model stand in heels and fishnet tights on a red lipstick covered plate symbolizing desire and dominance. The $100 bill, perfume, and gold earrings all symbolizing luxury.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s8WQttLIvw “But the skin is also alive, breathing and excreting, shielding us from harmful rays and microbial attack, metabolizing vitamin D, insulating us from heat and cold, repairing itself when necessary, regulating blood flow, acting as a frame for our sense of touch, aiding us in sexual attraction, defining our individuality, holding all the thick red jams and jellies inside us where they belong.” Reading the above portion of “A Natural History Of The Senses” by Diane Ackerman inspired me to create this video. Throughout the duration of the video, I rub red jelly (imitating blood) all over my face, chest, and arms creating a feeling of oneness between what lies inside, to the outer shell we call “skin”, also somewhat in rebellion to Ackerman’s words and the general consensus that blood belongs inside of the body. In the background, you hear the melody of a beating heart, to represent the pumping of blood to the body. I’ve always been fascinated wi...

 Installation 1 Installation 2 Installation 3

Nature Sculpture Project STATEMENT: During the process of this project, I gathered inspiration from organic planes and structures created within nature. In my six sculptures, I implemented elements found in nature such as line, texture, repetition, interior space, and pattern. Materials I used across all sculptures are wire, white paper, tracing paper, gel medium, white ink, black ink, string, and tape. Roots Veins Metamorphosis Forbidden Fruit Sprouting Defense Mechanism BOTANICAL / FLORA RESEARCH https://www.google.com/url?sa= i&url=https://www.redbubble. com/i/art-board-print/Fig- Botanical -Illustration-by- PugNpearl/37554002.TR477&psig= AOvVaw2yR-kzFM4XOonU1Rv0ErHl& ust=1600314175742000&source= images&cd=vfe&ved= 0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLiSjILh7OsCFQAAA AAdAAAAABAF http://www.anothermag.com/ loves/view/27415/Various_ Cactaceae   https://www.tinkerabout.com/ free-printable-tropical- botanicals /   http://darksilenceinsuburbia. tumblr....

Paper Architecture project Materials: Paper, glue, tape, X-Acto knife, ruler.