Artist Statement from the MFA Exhibition: "I create figurative sculptures that explore the anxieties and rituals of acceptance. These sculptures embody ambiguous, self-referential narratives that act as a resolution between myself and my anxieties. My work is primarily ceramic because clay is an extremely intuitive medium, allowing me to explore the figure from both an emotional aesthetic and an anatomical scrutiny. I am also interested in multiplicity and its visual relation to habits and rituals. Repetition can be a very calming activity, but it can cause adverse effects as well. I am interested in that fine line between compulsive and compulsory."

Artist Statement from the MFA Exhibition: "In my artwork I explore my concept of home in relation to my memories growing up in the border cities of Juarez, Chihuahua and El Paso, Texas. Being a young immigrant, the only constants in my life were my sense of home and the common landscape on both sides of the border. In order to create a connection of that time and place, I investigate materials that are symbolic to my Mexican heritage and my life in the United States through the combination of traditional handwork and digital fabrication. I utilize various materials such as clay and corn husks, unifying them through the formal elements of value, line, and shape. My work becomes abstracted to symbolize the passage of time and the way in which our memories are imperfect representations of events."

Artist Statement from the MFA Exhibition: "I did everything right. I counted my carbs, meal prepped, and joined the high school volleyball team (For exercise of course. Heaven forbid it be for fun). All growing up, I always assumed that things would get so much easier when I stepped into adulthood. I would be comfortable in my body. Spoiler Alert, that didn’t happen. Before this starts to sound like a Judy Blume novel, let me explain. A shot of apple cider vinegar, 13 vitamins, gluten free diet, and portion control. These are all aspects of my routine that I dread but they keep me going. The concept of routine as composition really resonated with me when I first made these dietary changes. Much like repeated elements in a composition, repeated elements in my routine are what keep me going, help me function, and make me a successful composition (or human, whatever you want to call it). So why do I get bogged down by the objects that are supposed to be helping me? As a woman who has been on some sort of diet since age 12, it was difficult to come to terms with the fact that your body …

Work of art in Charred corn husks by artist Karla Garcia part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Uncertain Ground."

Work of art in stoneware, cone 7 oxidation by artist Lyndee Deal as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Live With It!"

Work of art in MDF, pine, paper (Paper mache of museum visitor responses on paper) by artist Karla Garcia part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Uncertain Ground."

Work of art (variable dimensions) in Porcelain, corn husk paper, wire, graphite, table (burnout porcelain objects fired to cone 10 in soda atmosphere and in oxidation) by artist Karla Garcia part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Uncertain Ground."

Work of art in stoneware, cone 7 oxidation, MDF, glitter, resin by artist Lyndee Deal as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Live With It!"

Work of art (variable dimensions) in Paper, cart, wire by artist Karla Garcia part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Uncertain Ground."

Work of art in stoneware, cone 7 oxidation, MDF, glitter, resin by artist Lyndee Deal as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Live With It!"

Work of art in stoneware, cone 7 oxidation, MDF, glitter, resin by artist Lyndee Deal as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Live With It!"

Work of art in stoneware, acrylic by artist Teresa Larrabee as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Potty Talk".

Work of art in laser etched corn husks, wire, direct light by artist Karla Garcia part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Uncertain Ground."

Work of art in Kodak Carousel, glass, corn husk paper on panel by artist Karla Garcia part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Uncertain Ground." They have variable dimensions: Kodak Carousel, laser etched glass (Slide: 2” x 4” and 2” x 3”) Panel: corn husks paper and gesso on plywood. 4’ x 4’, and Table: Maple, steel pipes. 36” x 12” x 12”.

Work of art in Stoneware, cone 7 oxidation, glitter, resin by artist Lyndee Deal as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Live With It!"

Work of art in Red stoneware, rug, bucket, matboard, pedestal by artist Teresa Larrabee as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Potty Talk".

Work of art in stoneware, cone 7 oxidation by artist Lyndee Deal as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Live With It!"

Work of art in Stoneware, cone 7 oxidation, glitter, resin by artist Lyndee Deal as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Live With It!"

Work of art in graphite by artist Karla Garcia part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Uncertain Ground."

Work of art in stoneware, oxides, glaze, PVC, paint, lead solder By artist Teresa Larrabee as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Potty Talk". Water from the faucets of my former studio, photo lab, and visiting print press artist's apartment fill the toilet bowls.

Work of art in maple wood, trays, corn husks, bicycle wheels by artist Karla Garcia part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Uncertain Ground."

Work of art in stoneware, cone 7 oxidation, MDF, glitter, resin by artist Lyndee Deal as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Live With It!"

Work of art in makeup wipes, pine, matboard, glass by artist Teresa Larrabee as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Potty Talk". This day, I wore eyebrow pencil, mascara, eye shadow, and two different colors of lipstick (I couldn't decide between red and purple).

Work of art (variable dimensions) in Porcelain, corn husk paper, wire, graphite, table (side view) by artist Karla Garcia part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Uncertain Ground."