Jesse Fele
College of Fine Arts, Studio Art (BFA)
Narcissus
As an artist, my primary medium is ceramics as it allows for creative expression, and a tactile experience. I find fulfillment and enjoyment in my ability to turn a simple form, such as a lump of clay, into an ornate piece that tells a story. I also enjoy working with my hands to create unique 3D figures, and how an art piece can be viewed from multiple angles, pushing the boundaries of space, texture, and design.
I initially began ceramics in high school taking a beginner level course but graduated scoring a 5 on my AP 3D Studio Art and Design portfolio. What began as class to fulfill a credit turned into a lifelong passion. In this portfolio, I experimented with the connections between Greek mythology and various architectural structures, combining two of my primary interests through sculpture. Through this project, I learned how to advance the complexity of my building techniques from simple forms such as coil buildings to more complex architectural sculptures experimenting with space, balance, and form. I connected these forms to mythology through interesting metaphors, different sculptural techniques, and utilized principles and elements of design to present a story. Although my works are primarily ceramic, I often included some multimedia elements to provide interesting visual stimuli. Overall, I primarily use ceramics and sculpture as a form of expressing how I interpret different ideas and stories, and to give these manifestations a physical form.
Artwork Description:
Narcissus is one piece from this portfolio as it displays the myth of Narcissus, a man who was cursed to fall in love with his own reflection. The house represents Narcissus and includes beautiful colorful detailing around the windows and door. The house also tilts towards the mirror below, representing Narcissus falling in love with his own reflection. The flowers surrounding the piece are daffodils or narcissus and are the flower he was turned into after he drowned. Through this project, I learned how to advance the complexity of my building techniques, experimenting with space, balance, and form. I connected the forms to mythology through the use of metaphors, different sculptural techniques, and elements of design. Additionally, I included some multimedia elements to provide interesting visual stimuli. Overall, this piece uses various symbols and metaphors to represent the myth of Narcissus.