Notes From An Artist
Artistic work of Grace Burgess
By Johanna Johnson
The camera raises to find its target. Hunting for the perfect shot, and its prey just a few feet away. The viewfinder is locked in on the words floating across the model’s abdomen, showcasing the black-and-white script of womanhood.
With the coming of spring in Eau Claire the Bachelor of Fine Arts gallery show follows closely after. Highlighting the semester-long, sometimes year-long, works of many graduating artists. Talents range from sculpture, painting, and even felting. Grace Burgess, a graduating senior, chose to focus her senior project on her identity as a woman and on gender identity. Black and white photography, all with similar affirmations to allude to identity, are placed together on the wall to represent a hectic but overall loving relationship she has with girlhood. This work features phrases like “I love being a woman” and “We survived the great war,” taking inspiration from Taylor Swift, Barbie, and other pop culture references. She positioned the models to have the quotes projected on their bodies or in the background, showing how womanhood can take many different forms. I was able to talk to Grace about what art means to her and her future with art post-grad.
For her, and so many, art was a huge part of her life as a child, but it didn’t start until 8th grade when Grace picked up her first camera, and everything changed. She notes from that point on there was no looking back. Photography has been a way for Grace to capture beautiful moments and create curated ones that demonstrate powerful messages. When asked if she had any trepidation with being a full-time artist and her response was something that her father always told her, “Do something you love, and money will follow.” She says that going into college that phrase has always been close to her heart, and it encourages her to keep going within the art world every day.
Not knowing what the future holds for artists is scary, you may even consider giving it up in pursuit of something else. Looking at Grace and her long history with art and photography, she proves that you can keep that passion alive.
“When looking at continuing art at the collegiate level there is often lots of hesitancy. What will my life look like on campus? What about after college? ”
When looking at continuing art at the collegiate level there is often lots of hesitancy. What will my life look like on campus? What about after college? Talking to this fine arts student mere weeks away from graduation she has some nerves, but she offers this advice to young artists looking to continue their craft, “Being an art major in college is a lot of fun. You get to take interesting and fun classes all day every day. It’s really not as intimidating to be pursuing art as you would think.” She was in the shoes of many a young artist, scared for the future and nervous about what this path may entail. Though it took work and dedication, staying true to one’s craft and identity has led Grace to the finish line Graduating with a BFA and continuing her art journey in sports photography.
Art is moldable. Adaptable even. For younger artists who are nervous about their future in the art world, whether it be going into college or pursuing a career afterward, there are many different roads you can take. You will always have your art. You just have to let it propel you forward.