Exhibition

SVA presents “Selections from Thesis Projects,” an exhibition of thesis projects by 20 MFA Illustration as Visual Essay students, curated by Cecilia Ruiz (MFA 2012 Illustration as Visual Essay), BFA Illustration thesis faculty member. The exhibition will be on view Thursday, May 15, through Tuesday, May 27, at the SVA Chelsea Gallery, 601 West 26 Street, 15th floor, New York City. 

This year’s exhibition is a masterclass in fearless image-making and storytelling. With a wide spectrum of media, ranging from watercolor, oil pastels and ink to acrylics, printmaking and ceramics, the works are a vivid testament to the commitment these artists have made to meticulous and deliberate creation—an approach that stands in stark contrast to today’s fast-paced digital world. Recurring themes of change—how change is accepted, resisted or embraced—emerge throughout the exhibition. The worlds created by these students range from dystopian futures to magic realism, and at times, venture into the surreal.

A glimpse at a few of the exceptional projects on display:

Etta and the Thylacine by Reena Wu follows the journey of Etta, a woman who discovers a Tasmanian tiger is living inside her body. This project is a beautifully raw exploration of how emotional wounds take root in the body, as well as a meditation on extinction, preservation and the randomness of life.

Xinyi Yang’s surreal collection of objects and furniture explores the deep personal connections with everyday objects. Inspired by memories, Xinyi’s work reflects not only her personal history but also critiques the consumerist values that shape identity and how individuals relate to the world.

In July Queen, Lydia Pinkhassik tells the story of three sisters determined to dethrone their archnemesis at the village’s annual pageant. Set against the backdrop of growing political unrest and a return to authoritarian values, this story of youthful defiance is at once a celebration of sisterhood and a poignant display of political resistance.

Scavengers by Caitlin Du is a sci-fi comic set in a dystopian future where the depletion of fossil fuels has led to widespread unemployment and forced societal shifts. Caitlin’s narrative grapples with the themes of class struggle and childhood.

Artists featured in this exhibition are Ceili Ayoung, Yiran Bian, Yilin Cai, Melody Chen, Caitlin Du, Jialu Du, Emma Fisher, Laura Sandoval Herrera, Mary Quinlan Murphy, Xiaohan Pei, Lydia Pinkhassik, Yuxuan Wang, Reena Wu, Anshan Xie, Wenqi (Alina) Xu, Yiru Xue, Xinyi Yang, Yilin Z, Yubo Zhang and Verum Zhou.

The MFA in Illustration as Visual Essay at SVA is designed to maximize students’ opportunities as figurative artists, from the conventional gallery wall to the full range of 21st-century media. The program fuses the development of creative thinking with technical and communication skills. Additional focus is placed on best practices in navigating the visual art marketplace while empowering students to choose making art as a way of life.

The SVA Chelsea Gallery is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00am to 6:00pm, and closed on Sundays and Mondays. It is fully accessible by wheelchair.