Senior Art Show 2024

Francesca Anduray is a senior from Mount Prospect, Ill., majoring in communication sciences and disorders and art.

"Across these canvases, viewers can witness the different ingredients and objects involved in crafting this delectable baked good—whether it's sugar, spices, fruits, or common household utensils. All these natural elements are meticulously added to create a piece that exudes realism. In my art, I strive to unveil the concealed layers of the everyday world, inviting viewers to contemplate the enigmatic and sometimes unsettling aspects of the familiar."

Quinn Au is a senior from Hanoi, Vietnam, majoring in computer science and graphic design.

"Fashion has always been a big passion of mine and I wanna incorporate and showcase this side of me through this show. For this project, I turned different villains that we see in movies into Gen Z influencers with a trendy style and clothing. A silly yet serious approach to the design hopefully will bring people laughter while appreciating the fashion itself."

Lillian Hart is a senior from Stonefort, Ill., majoring in art and Asian studies and minoring in Japanese.

"I've created a few pieces with different, yet similar ideas that I want to convey. They are quite different visually, but all involve the idea of creating a sense of blocking out the busy mind to find a sense of calm and peace. In some of them, I use natural elements to convey this idea of rooting yourself in the moment and noticing the things around you finding that calm within yourself. Each piece's theme differs slightly, but the underlying main theme remains similar. Art itself can both be a form of escapism and self-expression. With my process of blocking out the loud and chaotic and finding a calm and still state of mind, I am both conveying my idea and practicing it."

Liam Haskill is a senior from Rock Island, Ill., majoring in art, graphic design and communication studies.

"The human body never ceases to fascinate me. In spite of its natural constructs, it feels somewhat manmade with its sprawling labyrinths, mechanical functions, and naming conventions. Much like with a machine, if a part is acting up, the whole thing can fall apart. It is these abnormalities that I gravitate to the most. Why is it that the body can self-destruct, and what is left when vital components are missing? It is these gaps in the mental and physical experiences of humanity that I seek to capture in my work."

Linh Hoang is a senior from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, majoring in art, graphic design and film.

"For my senior inquiry, I chose football as my main subject to work on. I am inspired by the football posters from the ‘70s because the warm colors portray nostalgic feelings within my audience. Photographs on textured backgrounds are the perfect medium for my posters to highlight the game and to show my aesthetic way of designing."

Abby Holtan is a senior from Minneapolis, Minn., majoring in art history and Scandinavian studies and minoring in history.

"Wanting to incorporate both of my majors into my Senior Inquiry, my project investigates the influence of the Arts and Craft and Art Nouveau movements on Swedish Modern Design. This influence is primarily seen through Carl and Karin Larsson’s work in their home, Lilla Hyttnäs, and the reminiscence of their style that can be seen in modern day pieces produced by IKEA."

Hannah Johnson is a senior from Elmhurst, Ill., majoring in psychology and art.

"Perhaps the most universal and innately human experience of all is loss. Even more than loss, grief. Psychology has taught me that there are five stages of grief - life has taught me that it is lifelong. This piece details my exploration of how religion interacts with loss. Portraying religious figures as well as depictions of human grief allows me to achieve such an interaction. At the bottom of this painting there is an engagement between two sisters: Depression and Bargaining, who are also cardinal stages of grief."

Eleanor Klink is a senior from Hoffman Estates, Ill., majoring in graphic design and minoring in art.

"It could just be the pessimism of today's world, but it feels as if everything is so dark and serious, especially with the rise in minimalism. People have become accustomed to sleek, bare, and refined graphics. And while I must admit, minimalism is very visually pleasing, it is still so boring. So adult. I saw this gap in the design world as my chance to mix my love for humor and my skills as a designer to make uplifting and positive posters to contrast that doom and gloom of the adult world. A chance to inspire a moment of optimism to my viewers. And an opportunity to encourage laughter and that childish spirit of living in the moment. Absorbing happiness."

Emmie Kulak is a senior from Plainfield, Ill., majoring in studio art and environmental studies.

"I find my truest expression in the combination of all of the environment’s elements: fire, water, air, and earth. I immerse myself in the magic of shaping Earth’s elements into vessels that transcend mere functionality. My passion lies in creating from my bare hands, inventing surface design where eccentricity thrives and my imagination feels boundless. I explore human facial features with bright colors, bold lines, and shapes, as an expression of my mind."

Ceu Lian is a senior from Chin State, Myanmar, majoring in graphic design and art.

"My artistic journey is a celebration of the beautiful variety of diversity in a world where boundaries are constantly blurring and cultures are mingling. The complex ties that bind cultures together and the ability of fashion to transform have always captivated me. Our attire can affect our motivation, body language, posture, and even our mood.  By connecting modern clothing with the rich heritage of Chin cultures, my work aims to bridge the gap between Chin tradition and modernity, through posters and clothes. Why you might ask? The reason is simple, I want people to know that we (Chin people) exist through the use of posters and clothes, as they are battling war back home."

Christina O'Connell is a senior from Moline, Ill., majoring in graphic design and studio art.

"I have really enjoyed exploring the similarities and differences between graphic design and art and knew for my senior project that I wanted to showcase both. Creating design systems and then figuring out how to implement consistency across a variety of outlets is a fun puzzle I enjoy putting together, so with Squiggle Squaggle, I’ve created a cohesive brand system along with the products that live within that brand."

Esme O'Rourke is a senior from Longmont, Colo., majoring in graphic design and studio art.

"This body of work includes my illustrations and formatting for a children’s book written by my best childhood friend, Joelle McDonald. The book titled Rafi Feels Different is incredibly meaningful to me for a number of reasons, but primarily because I have the chance to collaborate with someone so important to me, and that it has always been a life-long goal of mine to illustrate a book."

Jessica Peters is a senior from Chicago, Ill., majoring in art and minoring in Chinese and Asian studies.

"What do you see when you look at this artwork? What do you feel? I like to play with this a lot when it comes to art. Trying to let the viewer see what they want, make it have more than one meaning. That is why I try to use only a little color. As well as switching between the mediums and playing with texture."

Karen Rizzo is a senior from Huntley, Ill., majoring in art history and minoring in art.

"In this project, I explore the idea of "the artist" and its ever-evolving definitions through the lens of 20th-century American ceramics. Though the identity of a ceramic artist emerged in late-19th-century America, this identity is one that constantly fluctuates. My research investigates the definitions and differing ideas of "artist" as they developed through the 20th century and into the 21st. I am also interested in how these multiple definitions might interact with each other."

Aykeem Spivey is a senior from Gurnee, Ill., majoring in art and psychology.

"In my series, 'Live with a Dog Complex,' stories of my spontaneous interactions build the foundation for my artistic philosophy. I believe in unapologetically pursuing one's dreams with an unwavering drive and love for one’s craft. Dog Complex, a play on 'God Complex,' embodies this philosophy of a childlike mindset, being constantly open to learning and growing. The motto for Dog Complex is: 'for artists and athletes alike.' This captures the tireless work ethic shared by professionals in both fields. To perform at their level requires patience, taking care of the mind, body, and soul, and rejecting complacency."

Ilsa Strelow is a senior from Milwaukee, Wis., majoring in studio art.

"The world around us can sometimes feel 'blurred' because of how fast-paced our lives can be. No matter how jumbled our everyday life may seem, there are still moments where we can pause and appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of the world around us. My paintings represent this concept while urging viewers to continue observing and cherishing the little moments. I hope my work inspires others to reflect on the beauty they have seen throughout their own lives, knowing that the world around them is a work of art."

Emily Torres is a senior from Carpentersville, Ill., majoring in studio art and international business-marketing.

"As a ceramicist, I find myself continuously drawn to the inimitable beauty of the natural world. I am fixated on nature themes during my creative processes, I find inspiration in the intricate patterns, colors, and forms found in the environment. Whether it is the gentle curve of a leaf, the complexity of a forest, or the randomness of a shoreline, the natural world provides an abundance of beautiful and at times, unpredictable figures. My artistic practice is an attempt to capture the essence of these natural wonders and present them in a tangible, functional, and aesthetic form. My choice of medium furthers this theme of nature through its already earthy origins and allows me to reanimate nature in a new three-dimensional approach."