This project was created as my Senior Art show during my last semester in school. I was never able to put on the physical show due to the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020. Classes at my college, like many others, were pushed into an online format in light of the need to self-quarantine.
The artwork in my show takes a critical look at how many natural wonders of the world have come to be so commercialized that visitors are missing the true stories told by the land before their eyes. I was amazed that I had been around many incredible places my whole life and I could barely tell you about their history, but I could tell you what the t-shirt in the gift shop looked like. With styles derived from vintage travel posters, tourist t-shirts and memories from my childhood visiting National Parks, I recreated a visitor’s center gift shop.
For the main pieces in the show, I chose places with special meanings to me through memories and experiences. I purposefully did not display the names of the locations on the posters to allow people to find their own way there. The scenes become so much more powerful when you have a deeper knowledge of them and their wonder. The titles on the pieces are histories and facts which I had not previously known about the locations which were supposedly so important to me prior to my research for the show. I sold screen prints, stickers, bandanas and t-shirts. I encouraged people to think about the places they have experienced and reflect on how much they may not know and then to research and look deeper.
With greater understanding, comes greater appreciation.