The “An Unbearable Illumination of Truth” exhibition being shown in Slocumb Galleries from March 22 to April 9 reflects upon the themes of trauma and healing in the life of exhibition artist and North Carolina mix media sculptor Shanna Glawson, who is completing her Master of Fine Arts studio art thesis.
“I used my diagnosis of PTSD as a catalyst to create art that discusses trauma and healing,” Glawson said. “Therefore, this exhibition is a response and visualization to my own personal experiences and others with related traumas. I not only try to explore aspects of post-traumatic stress but also post-traumatic growth.”
This exhibition, being a reflection of Glawson’s own experiences, goes to the very basics of what a human needs: shelter. Glawson explores what a home is in her exhibit by going back to her very own upbringing in southern Appalachia. Glawson decided to create a house installation that embodies the inside and outside nature of how trauma is perceived and felt in a family.
“These sculptures all use the different shelters as a familiar motif to represent identity,” Glawson said. “Tents, mobile homes and brick houses are combined with other materials and found objects to create metaphors that express varying types of traumas. I play with unsettling juxtapositions to create unique forms that enact feelings of vulnerability and suffering associated with traumatic events.”
The exhibit, while covering a very emotional and serious topic, also covers a wide array of emotions ranging from humor to tragedy. While sculpture is a much more physical art form for the viewer, the use of multiple medias also engages the viewer’s eye to move around and explore the piece.
“I hope that my artwork will open the door for more conversations surrounding trauma in our community,” Glawson said. “I believe my work can be experienced two ways. If you have experienced a trauma then I hope you can empathize with these sculptures and find comfort in them. If you are an outside observer to trauma then you may find these depictions more disturbing and thereby, I hope it creates more sympathy for those you know that may be affected by trauma. Ultimately, this work is intended to raise awareness of important, underlying social issues that revolve around trauma.”
To view Glawson’s full portfolio and resume, visit www.shannaglawson.com.
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