micro/MACRO
University of Illinois
Shuning Zheng
MFA Candidate
Life Microscope, 2019
Brass, acrylic, resin, wood, aluminum, polymer clay
“When we use our eyes to see the world, we can see the diversity and immensity of the world. When we use our mind to see the world, we can see the origin of life.”
Luyao Chen
MFA Candidate
Superglue, 2019
Superglue, nickel silver, sterling silver
“Super-glue, a miniscule/macro material used to connect parts, is never viewed as an independent entity. What if it is takes on its own agency and takes center stage? What are the possibilities of super-glue when it’s materiality, aesthetic, and power are confronted?”
Billie Theide
Faculty
Duratone: Pinkie & Blue Boy, 2017
Vintage Duratone plastic coated cards, birch
“min-i-a-ture
noun
a thing that is much smaller than the original
Pinkie was painted by Thomas Lawrence in 1794. The oil on canvas is 57” x 39” and resides in the Huntington Library in San Marino, CA.
The Blue Boy was painted by Thomas Gainsborough in 1770. The oil on canvas is 70” x 44” and also resides in the Huntington Art Gallery in San Marino, CA.
Duratone: Pinkie & Blue Boy was created by Billie Theide in 2017. The teapots are fabricated of vintage Duratone plastic coated cards on birch. The objects stand 10.25” x 6.5” x 2.5” and reside in the collection of the artist.”
Patricia Leon Quecan
MFA Candidate
Life Chain, 2019
Cerulean blue and lilac haze wool top dye
“The molecule, significant and delicate, is present in all living organisms. As the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound, molecules are joined to create a macromolecule – the life chain for every organism.”
Yuqing Zhang
MFA Candidate
Contrast Sensory 01, 2019
Balloon, copper, stainless steel
“Time is an element in this micro/macro body of work. Initially, the balloon is the ‘macro’ partner; when fully inflated, it overwhelms the copper component in scale. With time, the balloon shrinks to become the ‘micro’ partner in the relationship. Likewise, the expandable foam component is initially the ‘micro’ element. With time, the foam expands to become the ‘macro’ partner in the relationship. The micro/macro relationship shifts in each work.”
Yuqing Zhang
MFA Candidate
Contrast Sensory 02, 2019
Foam, copper, stainless steel
“Time is an element in this micro/macro body of work. Initially, the balloon is the ‘macro’ partner; when fully inflated, it overwhelms the copper component in scale. With time, the balloon shrinks to become the ‘micro’ partner in the relationship. Likewise, the expandable foam component is initially the ‘micro’ element. With time, the foam expands to become the ‘macro’ partner in the relationship. The micro/macro relationship shifts in each work.”
Amanda Shin
MFA Candidate
Magnifying Lens 01, 2018
Polyester resin, copper, sterling silver, convex lens
“A magnifying lens is a tool that is used to decipher text. Only a section of the full text becomes visible as hand and body adjust to bring letterforms into focus. Collectively, letterforms become words, words become sentences, and sentences become the writer’s thoughts.”