Exhibition

School of Visual Arts (SVA) presents MFA Photography, Video and Related Media’s 2021 thesis exhibition, featuring lens- and screen-based media by 15 alumni from the class of 2021. Curated by Kris Graves, publisher of Monolith Editions and Kris Graves Projects, the exhibition will be on view from Thursday, September 23, through Friday, October 8, at the SVA Chelsea Gallery, 601 West 26th Street, New York, and online at mfaphoto.sva.edu/2021-thesis.

“As the world continues to alter at a rapid pace due to the pandemic, the 2021 MFA Photography, Video and Related Media graduating class focuses on ideas of modern living from around the globe. Throughout the exhibition, the viewer is confronted with the complications of growing up on the internet, implications of mass media and pop culture, and feelings of dense urban living. The artists within deal with design elements to help tell their pertinent stories; patterns emerge throughout the show and serve to synchronize the group as a whole unit.

“Taking into account all of these concerns, every corner of the show remains lively with sound, moving image and a mix between historic processes and conceptual practice. The artists within work with short- and long-form video, highly produced audio tracks and ideas of vanity and being surveilled. This particular exhibition gives us a glimpse at what goes through the minds of artists in this day and age. The world is changing faster than we can account for, and the artwork within hopes to freeze this moment for thorough investigation.

“This year's graduating class have spent these uncertain times perfecting their craft and making works that feel tangible and forward looking. The exhibition serves as a testament to hard work and perseverance, to creativity through the hardest times most of us have dealt with.”

– Kris Graves, curator

Artists featured in this exhibition are Annie Chen Ziyao, Timothy Colose, Haipei Han, Yan Jin, Bella Klein, Chris Marklein, Changhe Liu, Song Lu, Grace Poppe, Ana Paula Tizzi, Kikyo Yanran Wang, Yang Yang, Yunqi Yang and Jasmine Yeshan Zhang.

The SVA Chelsea Gallery is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm, and closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Public access to SVA Chelsea Gallery is permitted during gallery hours if visitors show proof of vaccination (FDA/WHO-authorized) and photo ID, wear a mask and provide their contact tracing details. It is fully accessible by wheelchair.

The video screening will take place on Wednesday, October 6, 6:30 – 8:30pm, at SVA Theatre, 333 West 23rd Street. For SVA Theatre’s COVID-19 protocols, visit svatheatre.com/about/faqs/.