"Don't Blink"
Visual Arts 2025 Graduate ExhibitionPresentation by Adwar Oguttuh
Exhibition Number 301
Abstract
Resilience is a trait that everybody possesses no matter their age, gender or race. I strongly believe it can manifest in the human face. Through dry media, my work captures the physical likeness of each subject with whom I have interacted and shared profound stories of resilience in overcoming hardship. These stories often transcend cultural boundaries, resonating universally with audiences, thereby fostering empathy and understanding. Therefore, my goal is to illuminate the power of personal narratives through portraits, showcasing how experiences of struggle and perseverance shape identity and strength. My process of retrieving reference photos involved in-depth interactions with subjects, allowing me to gain insight into their life stories, challenges, and triumphs. Each portrait serves as a unique narrative, reflecting the resilience of its subject within the broader context of human experience. My work is rendered using traditional media (graphite, charcoal, colored pencils, and pastels) to create mostly larger than life size confrontational renderings that convey both the external features and the emotional depth of the subjects. After personally engaging with my subjects and listening to their lived experiences, I communicate their strength and perseverance through my portraits. The intended result of my work is to celebrate their individual journeys by engaging viewers in a greater discourse on resilience, cultural, environmental and economic disparities. Through this work, I hope to inspire appreciation for the strength found in adversity. Ultimately, this project aspires to encourage viewers to see the beauty in the harsh experiences that shape who we are.
Importance
Statement of importance My quest is for my work to transcend traditional portraiture. It invites important conversations about the unbreakable strength that resides within all of us, as we navigate adversity with grace and fortitude. I also consider my work a powerful tool for storytelling through visual art, while also giving voice to underrepresented individuals and communities. The significance of my work lies in its ability to connect the audience with the narratives behind each face on a deeply empathetic and emotional level. By portraying individuals with adverse human experiences, I am weaving a narrative of resilience, survival, and triumph over adversity. My portraits serve as a celebration of the enduring power of the human spirit.
DEI Statement
My artwork addresses DEI by spotlighting the often-overlooked narratives of individuals from Cape Verde- a small island developing nation, with a rich yet under-represented culture. Little is known about this underdeveloped nation and through my work, I aim to challenge their lack of representation in mainstream art and media. In the process of obtaining my reference photos, we engaged with individuals of varying age groups and backgrounds. By drawing their portraits, I am giving life to their narratives that might otherwise remain unheard. I strongly believe this challenges the viewers of my work to confront cultural, environmental and economic disparities, which could promote inclusion and an equitable representation of humanity. This in turn challenge existing stereotypes and promotes inclusivity.