RACHEL BIGLIN
I graduated from Ashland University in December of 2008. I am
interested in exploring domestic violence and the process that
one goes through in healing from the bitter feelings and grief
caused by the trauma. I have personally known those involved in
rocky relationships which have their share of ups and downs.
Anger escalates out of control at times which can lead to
emotional stress, broken property and even physical abuse. By
understanding the feelings of hurt one can experience when
reflecting on the hash words and harmful situation; I decided to
dedicate my senior art show to the victims of domestic violence.
I want to create domestic violence awareness and encourage
those personally involved or know others involved in violent
relationship to break the cycle of abuse and take steps to a
healthier way of life.
My senior honors thesis title, "Using Painting as a Cathartic
Release, Especially for Victims of Domestic Violence and
People Overcoming Grief" ties in very closely with my body of
artwork. It is the notion that painting can be an outlet for people
experiencing a traumatic situation or loss in their lives to relief
their internal emotions. This idea can be applied to all groups of
people, and the important thing with catharsis is the end product
is not as important as the process. People who want to
experience catharsis through creating artwork do not have to
show their work to others to receive the benefits, so they do not
need to be intimidated by the idea of creating art. One can
indulge in artwork to help overcome and deal with emotional
stress. By exploring the creative process people can learn more
about themselves. In addition art provides people with an outlet
to release their true emotions when they are not able to express
their feelings verbally.
My artwork explores the feelings and symbols that are
associated with domestic violence. These feelings included fear,
intimidation, a feeling of being trapped, being controlled, and
extreme aggression. The dark colors mixed with vibrant colors
emphasize the violence, abusive cycle, and dark feelings felt by
those involved in domestic violence. The style in which I painted
these images adds to their meaning. I painted in an impasto
style of painting with is a thicker aggressive painting technique
where the paint is applied with a pallet knife. This parallels the
violence the victims have gone through and offers the idea of
using the paintings to fight back. The first images are of a hand
and fists which are often the tools of violence. The anatomical
heart symbolizes the emotion being felt. I progressed and show
stronger images which represent the notion of control in the hand
grasping the woman's hair and the bound woman. I used some
extreme pictures of loss and bruising to grab the viewer's
attention and shock them so they understand the severity of
these situations.
I provide two paintings to offer encouragement and empowerment
for the victims. These are titled "Closing the Door" and "Healing"
and the red door symbolizes the violence and it is closed which
means the victim is finally ready to close the door on the violent
situation. Even though the effects of the violence are still present
it provides inspiration for the healing process to begin. Currently I
am working on two more inspirational pieces to inspire and offer
support for the courageous victims of domestic violence.
interested in exploring domestic violence and the process that
one goes through in healing from the bitter feelings and grief
caused by the trauma. I have personally known those involved in
rocky relationships which have their share of ups and downs.
Anger escalates out of control at times which can lead to
emotional stress, broken property and even physical abuse. By
understanding the feelings of hurt one can experience when
reflecting on the hash words and harmful situation; I decided to
dedicate my senior art show to the victims of domestic violence.
I want to create domestic violence awareness and encourage
those personally involved or know others involved in violent
relationship to break the cycle of abuse and take steps to a
healthier way of life.
My senior honors thesis title, "Using Painting as a Cathartic
Release, Especially for Victims of Domestic Violence and
People Overcoming Grief" ties in very closely with my body of
artwork. It is the notion that painting can be an outlet for people
experiencing a traumatic situation or loss in their lives to relief
their internal emotions. This idea can be applied to all groups of
people, and the important thing with catharsis is the end product
is not as important as the process. People who want to
experience catharsis through creating artwork do not have to
show their work to others to receive the benefits, so they do not
need to be intimidated by the idea of creating art. One can
indulge in artwork to help overcome and deal with emotional
stress. By exploring the creative process people can learn more
about themselves. In addition art provides people with an outlet
to release their true emotions when they are not able to express
their feelings verbally.
My artwork explores the feelings and symbols that are
associated with domestic violence. These feelings included fear,
intimidation, a feeling of being trapped, being controlled, and
extreme aggression. The dark colors mixed with vibrant colors
emphasize the violence, abusive cycle, and dark feelings felt by
those involved in domestic violence. The style in which I painted
these images adds to their meaning. I painted in an impasto
style of painting with is a thicker aggressive painting technique
where the paint is applied with a pallet knife. This parallels the
violence the victims have gone through and offers the idea of
using the paintings to fight back. The first images are of a hand
and fists which are often the tools of violence. The anatomical
heart symbolizes the emotion being felt. I progressed and show
stronger images which represent the notion of control in the hand
grasping the woman's hair and the bound woman. I used some
extreme pictures of loss and bruising to grab the viewer's
attention and shock them so they understand the severity of
these situations.
I provide two paintings to offer encouragement and empowerment
for the victims. These are titled "Closing the Door" and "Healing"
and the red door symbolizes the violence and it is closed which
means the victim is finally ready to close the door on the violent
situation. Even though the effects of the violence are still present
it provides inspiration for the healing process to begin. Currently I
am working on two more inspirational pieces to inspire and offer
support for the courageous victims of domestic violence.
| Beginning Stages of Violence I, II, III 18 x 12 ea. Oil $175 ea. /$500 for set |
| The Loss 24 x 36 Oil $485 |
| Black Eye 28 x 38 Oil $575 |
| Trapped 24 x 30 Oil $350 |
| Control 24 x 36 Oil $485 |
| Fear 26 x 40 Oil $575 |
| Intimidation 20 x 30 Oil $485 |
| Healing 30 x 38 Oil $550 |
| Closing the Door 30 x 36 Oil $575 |
| Creative Inspiration 36 x 48 Oil $750 |