Example of a Visual Arts Artistic Statement
Example of a Visual Arts Artistic Statement
Visual Arts Artistic Statement
By Oliver Coria
“En esta casa vive una señora encantadora y un viejo gruñón.” This means: “In this house lives a lovely lady and an old grump.” This quote is hung up where everyone can see it, and it has become a defining part of our household. The reason that I like this quote has nothing to do with what it says. Granted, it’s funny, but there’s another reason. This little wooden plaque has been with us since before 2010, when we were living in Mexico, and followed us across the continent. When I look at it, I’m reminded of memories with my family, wherever we were. I think about all the influences in my life that have led me to become invested in my future as an artist. My experiences, friends, and most of all my family.
I’m the youngest of three brothers, who I’ve always looked up to significantly. My mom was born in the United States, and met her future husband in grad school. My dad grew up in Mexico and migrated to the US when he was twenty six. Both my parents had rough childhoods: my mom’s family had alcoholic parents and was always moving, and my dad grew up dirt poor in Mexico City, the seventh child of eight. In the present day, they both have PhDs, own a house, and are the parents of three, two of which are in college. They inspire and compel me to work harder everyday to improve as an artist and make an impact in the world.
My inspiration almost always comes from the world around me. Other artists, my family, friends, political issues, anything might trigger a burst of creativity that urges me to produce something. For example, my artwork was generated through my family when I made the portrait of my dad. Political and social issues that are important to me generated art in the form of a recreation of Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam, Creation of Addicts. And my friends generated inspiration with not only portraits, but also as sounding boards and suggestion-givers. All of this has played an important part in my explorations.
I hope that by going to this school, I will make mistakes. I hope that by learning from them, and having increased independence, my artistic ability will skyrocket.
Oliver Coria
For most of my artistic journey so far, I’ve been helped along by my parents encouraging me, and pushing me in the right direction. They’ve kept me from making big mistakes. I am extremely grateful to them, but this is one thing I hope to change by attending UNCSA. I hope that by going to this school, I will make mistakes. I hope that by learning from them, and having increased independence, my artistic ability will skyrocket.
But naturally, there are more reasons to be attracted to this school. First, I have no doubt that being in an environment where I’m surrounded by artists my age and with similar aspirations will drive me to elevate the level of my work. When I used to play soccer, I would get inspired to play harder and train harder when I was surrounded by players who were better and faster than me. I’m certain that there would be a similar effect at this school.
Second, having the opportunity to be critiqued by peers is very important to improve. I have been doing critiques at my school for the past four years, and I know that they have helped me not only with my art, but also with my ability to receive criticism with open arms and use it to fuel my determination. It’s not always easy.
Attending UNCSA would also give me many advantages when it comes to college. Not only would it help me to earn scholarships and reduce financial stress, but it would allow me to be more successful when I get to college. The increased freedom, workload, and dorm life would train me for the university environment.
Finally, by immersing myself in the UNCSA environment and by learning from my own mistakes, I hope to discover my own true artistic self by building upon what I learned from the "lovely lady and the grumpy old man,̈ from my two brothers, and from my life in Mexico. I hope that as I prepare for college, UNCSA will not merely be a stepping stone, but a giant leap in the direction I hope to go in life.
