Katie’s Graduation Projects
Sayuka-Katerina Lawrence
“We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails”
Artist Statement
Throughout my final year of being a student, I decided to challenge myself and expand outside of my comfort zone. I’ve always wanted to diversify mediums, concepts and contexts of my artworks while creating, but I’ve always been afraid, because I didn’t want my projects to be a failure. I continued to step forward to create something I normally wouldn’t, while carrying that fear on my back. And by doing so, I was able to feel my own personal growth, and will continue to expand my horizon.
BLACK, GREY, WHITE
For this project, I wanted to capture the emotional and mental roller coaster I was experiencing throughout the pandemic as I was adjusting to the “new normal”. My wish is for people to see my piece and its statements, and feel the comfort that they’re not the only ones feeling the way they are through this challenging time.
Black Sheep
Acrylic paint on canvas
24″ x 24″
2020
Black Sheep is a painting about isolation and loneliness. Since the pandemic, I’ve felt as though everything turned against me, as portrayed by people wearing white sheep coat has their back turned against the girl in black sheep coat. This immense loneliness that I’ve never experienced in my life was pressed against me. I felt as though I was living in a sad dystopian world and everything felt glum and gray. So, when I was given the opportunity to make my graduation projects, I knew that painting would be the most uplifting outlet for me, and reflect that heavy feeling that was weighing me down on a canvas.
If there’s one thing that this pandemic taught me besides health issue, is to appreciate and cherish even the smallest blessings and memories. I learned to not take things for granted ever.
Drained
Acrylic paint on canvas
12″ x 12″
2020
The hand position is almost lifeless and unanimated to show the lack of energy.
Throughout this past year and even this year so far, it’s been a challenge to be willing to do anything, even if it’s your hobby or interests. It has most definitely been the biggest struggle for me.
And you get sick of feeling drained too.
Nervous
Acrylic paint on canvas
12″ x 12″
2020
Continuing from Drained, getting paranoid also means that I am constantly nervous and overthink often. My mind is in turmoil and hands fidget and clutches my chest as if that’d stop me from being nervous.
Frustrated
Acrylic paint on canvas
12″ x 12″
2020
The roughness of the hands and background definitely reflects on the title I gave this piece. I was frustrated often too. I have several reasons why I was frustrated, but the biggest factor is the fact that I terribly miss the pre-pandemic life.
I let that feeling go onto this piece, especially when it came to the background.
Hopeful
Acrylic paint on canvas
12″ x 12″
2020
The saying, “The light at the end of the tunnel” is what inspired me to make this work. Despite most of my works in this project associating with negative emotions, I wanted to end this series with even just a bit of positivity.
The prayer gesture, and the arch of light with smidge of darkness reflects on my hope of the end of this difficult time.
GREEK MYTHOLOGY PROJECT
This project, much more lighthearted than the previous project, is more visual-focused and left it to my creativity to visually interpret a narrative or stories. Each work is divided into three parts, kind of like a triptych, inspired by middle age Christian altarpieces. I believe by using the triptych method, my art will appear more narrative and create a ‘flow’ throughout the composition.
Three Sisters of Fate
2B, HB, & 6B pencils, Golden pen, Cardboard
15cm x 15cm
2020
In Greek mythology, The three Moirai, or the Fates, are three sisters who represents the cycle of life. From when someone is born, the sisters use a ‘thread of life’ to determine that person’s life. On the left is Clotho, sister in charge of birth of life. The middle is Lachesis who would draw out the thread of life, and measures one’s life. And on the right is Atropos, determines the end of life by cutting the thread.
Greek Myth Fantasy (Part 1; Medusa and Andromeda)
39.3cm x 37.5cm x 3mm (including frame)
2021
Greek Myth Fantasy (Part 2; Pandora’s box & the tragic myth of Niobe)
39.3cm x 41cm x 3mm (including frame)
2021
Greek Myth Fantasy (Part 3; Icarus, Orpheus and Eurydice, & Persephone)
39.3cm x 44.5cm x 3mm (including frame)
2021
For this artwork, I combined my 7 favorite Greek myths, and simply visually narrate the summary of each myth and its protagonist. This project was by far the most experimental I’ve ever been in terms of mediums – For all three parts, I’ve used watercolor paint, Copic marker, colored pencil, white pen, charcoal, oil pastel, patterned paper, cellophane, fake pearl and diamond jewelry sticker. The frame is painted gold on cypress wood board. As a result, I think I was able to create a colorful, well-animated visualization and my own interpretation of the Greek mythologies.
Bird House
Bird House, Watercolor paint, Pen
2020~2021
Front & Right side view 
Back view
Left side view 
Right side view 
Top view
Very much like the Greek mythology project, I wanted this to be more visual-focused as well. I didn’t pick a specific narrative or had a particular personal connotation in mind like the BLACK, GREY, WHITE series ; But rather I remixed my own imagination with movie scenes, song lyrics and Christian imageries. Entertainment industry such as films and music as well as music videos are a huge influence on my work most of the time. And for this artwork, I wanted to be free and allowed myself to draw whatever came up on my mind.
