School of Visual Arts (SVA) presents “do you know what i mean?”, an exhibition of thesis work by eight seniors in the BFA Visual & Critical Studies program. Curated by artist and SVA alumnus Kayla Gibbons (BFA 2011 Fine Arts) and including work by Bridget Ashvil, Quincy Goetze, kiarita, Jiayin (Selena) Lin, Hetong Ma, Jeans O’Donnel, Inna Smolina and Bella Ybarra, the exhibition will be on view from Thursday, January 26 through Monday, February 13, at the SVA Flatiron Gallery, 133/141 West 21^st Street, 1^st Floor, New York City.

“Do you know what I mean?” is a phrase which may be offered for fear of overexplaining; of telling someone something they already know. We use this phrase almost unconsciously to help the listener process what we’re saying especially when we are speaking about something deep or complicated, and we are aware they need more time to catch up. Whether a search for reassurance, an expression of our tenuousness, or a breath between thoughts, “do you know what i mean?” is a bid for connection, a desire to be understood.

Across painting, printmaking and sculpture, the work presented is an invitation for exchange between audience and art. The exhibition is a portal to be transported between declarations; the space to delight in thoughtful pause when we’re stuck for words.

The following text is compiled from a series of words the artists provided when asked to describe their work: “fear perception vision queerness power control order do you know what i mean? ritual voodoo magic dreams vertebrae monsters risk do you know what i mean? danger acid tenderness heat softness saturation intentionality do you know what i mean? artificial intelligence experience identity childhood hiding privacy do you know what i mean? ornament vibrancy kitsch fun movement survival judgement do you know what i mean? fragility cleanliness bones layers bodies voices objects do you know what i mean? industry entertainment dependency constants change rawness remembrance do you know what i mean? trauma home sentimentality intimacy grief discomfort death do you know what i mean?”

For more information or inquiries about available work, please contact kgibbons1@sva.edu.

The SVA Flatiron Gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00am to 6:00pm. In accordance with SVA COVID-19 protocols, in-person viewing is open to SVA students, faculty and staff. The public may visit by showing proof of full vaccination (including booster, if eligible) and photo ID. All visitors to the SVA Flatiron Gallery must pre-register through an RSVP link no less than 48 hours prior to the selected event date and time. Proper masking is required.