Artist Statement from the MFA Exhibition: "My work merges craft and queer iconography to reflect on my journey of is covering identity in the absence of a positive sexual role model. It has resulted in a body of work that is heavy with sex-toy imagery, and explores multiple disciplines including quilting, soft sculpture, crochet, and printmaking. Through this exploration of material, I humorously combine wholesome and taboo imagery in order to reclaim and confront sexual commodity, an industry that is heavily dominated by male pleasure. While questioning my own constructed identity, I use humor as a defense mechanism to ease into the conversation of Queer identity and the Queer female gaze."

Artist Statement from the MFA Exhibition: "My work expresses personal experiences dealing with race, identity, and social critique. As an African American woman born and raised in Texas, it is common for me to be the only black face in white spaces. Being framed as the "other" has been ingrained in my existence, affecting the way I navigate through life. Throughout my time in graduate school, I have constructed my own framework of identity. Referencing history and its permanent effects on the present, my work explores the internal and external complexities of being a black woman in America today."

Artist Statement from the MFA Exhibition: "When I left my parents to venture out into the world alone, my white privilege was stripped. While my racial background is not white, I was raised by white parents who had two biological children. Being raised this way afforded me the comfort and ability to pass through life with little to no danger of being hurt, being granted permission to be anywhere I wanted, never shut out because of my color. I still have access to many of those things because I am still my parents' daughter. I am however increasingly aware of the color of skin and how I am perceived in the context of being on my own, a single, bi/asexual artist. I also learned of my membership in a club of other people of color that I didn’t know I belonged, small and yet furiously protective of its members. A language of nods, shrugs, and eye to eye glances are a part of the language of the club, our nonverbal communication that validates our presence in a white world. much of the work this group does involves teaching and explaining why we exist as a unit separate from the world …

Work of art in charcol on cloth by artist Taylor Barnes as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Who's Next?"

Work of art by artist Sarah Janke as part of a Creative Problems course with visiting professor Gabrielle Duggan. Submitted as part of her MFA portfolio.

Work of art of installation image by artist Sarah Janke as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Bewildering Genealogy"

Work of art in charcoal on cloth by artist Taylor Barnes as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Who's Next?"

Work of art in charcol and tape on cloth by artist Taylor Barnes as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Who's Next?"

Work of art in branches, cotton thread screws, and rope by artist Taylor Barnes as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Who's Next?"

Work of art in stitching and applique on cloth by artist Taylor Barnes as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Who's Next?"

Work of art in stitching and charcol on cloth by artist Taylor Barnes as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Who's Next?"

Work of art by artist Sarah Janke as part of a Creative Problems course with visiting professor Gabrielle Duggan. Submitted as part of her MFA portfolio.

Work of art in installation Shot (Photo by Megan Desoto) by artist Alyssa Russell as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "On/Scenity".

Work of art in embroidery on cloth by artist Taylor Barnes as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Who's Next?"

Work of art in cotton fabric, polyester thread (Photo by Megan Desoto) by artist Alyssa Russell as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "On/Scenity".

Work of art in crochet and Knot Wool, Wool Roving (Photo by Megan Desoto) by artist Alyssa Russell as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "On/Scenity".

Work of art in charcoal on cloth by artist Taylor Barnes as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Who's Next?"

Work of art in installation Shot (Photo by Megan Desoto) by artist Alyssa Russell as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "On/Scenity".

Work of art in cut cloth and charcoal by artist Taylor Barnes as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Who's Next?"

Work of art in cotton fabric, crochet wool, foam (Photo by Megan Desoto) by artist Alyssa Russell as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "On/Scenity".

Work of art in cotton fabric, cotton batting (Photo by Megan Desoto) by artist Alyssa Russell as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "On/Scenity".

Work of art by artist Sarah Janke as part of a Creative Problems course with visiting professor Gabrielle Duggan. Submitted as part of her MFA portfolio.

Work of art in mx dye and charcoal on cloth by artist Taylor Barnes as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Who's Next?"

Work of art in stitching and charcol on cloth by artist Taylor Barnes as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Who's Next?"