Photo/Media Catalog 2023

Quoc Dang Luu

Most likely to bring snacks to class

Quoc Dang Luu is a Vietnamese artist specializing in portrait/fashion photography and installation art. Inspired by early pop culture, he explores its impact on modern society. With a passion for art from a young age, Quoc has found his true calling in blending photography and installation. His work captures the essence of his subjects with a unique blend of funkiness, rebellion, and edginess. Through immersive experiences created with diverse materials, lighting, and sound, Quoc pushes boundaries, constantly experimenting to create fresh and captivating work.

Have a Sip, 2023

Portraits and handwriting on mugs

It is truly astounding to witness your growth and evolution as an artist. With each passing quarter, your work has flourished and your creativity knows no bounds. Despite any language barriers you may face, your art speaks volumes and connects with viewers in a profound way. Your dedication to your craft and peers has been a constant source of inspiration for us all, and will undoubtedly impact future students at The University of Washington.

Quoc, we are grateful for your unwavering talent and the incredible artist that you are. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world.

JEFFREY KYLE

Siblings, 2022 Digital Photograph

When I think of your work, I am immediately drawn to your ability to add dimensionality to your work. Each project I have seen from you always goes above and beyond in terms of conceptualization and your use of space. I remember when I first was introduced to your work in Autumn Quarter Art 440, I could tell that your work carries a unique sense of presentation and style that I would see continue throughout to the present. Each project you present draws viewers in and invites them to look closer at the nuanced details that make your work so appealing to experience. I clearly remember your final project for Winter Quarter Art 440 where you made full use of the Skinny, creating your own exhibition space filled with color, sound, and several individual pieces of art all tied together to create this cohesive narrative that captured viewers’ attention and drew them in for a closer look. In your latest work, your intention behind this piece serves as a success to combine your personal inspirations with your sense of community as an art student. Overall, Quoc, you always strive to create work that uniquely presents your sense of self while also capturing your audience with stunning presentations, and I find that very inspiring.

Hanga L. Garcia Serrano

Most likely to come back as a professor

The world I connect with is different. My perspective is my own. It’s complex and intertwined within two different cultures. The culture I was born into and the culture I grew up in. I observe both from a distance and I can never be absorbed by one or the other. This conflict at times creates guilt, a sense of loss, and misunderstanding within myself.

Conveying the state of being neither or is difficult to explain. How do I reach out to that feeling? I do so by examining my environments from afar. Approaching them with curiosity and intent because I want to understand them as separate entities. While acknowledging how overtime these environments integrate themselves with one another. Similar to the way my two cultures have learned to make sense the more, I learn to embrace their differences and accept that I will never fully belong to either.

My life in two sayings, 2023 Photography

My first impression of you and your work was quiet, neat, and simple but easy to relate to. I still remember a series of architectural photographs you showed in 10D. Those photos brought me quiet and peaceful feeling. Your most recent work involves your family and places you are familiar with. It is warm, appealing and personal. By incorporating your mother language, even though I can not understand it, I feel its power when placed alongside the images. You are an irreplaceable artist in the world. You have the power to light up viewers with your own story and vision of the world you live in.

(MEI-LIN) HUNG

Mi Loteria, 2023 Photography

Your art feels like home. I have noticed that family is a common theme in your art which I connect with because I rely on my family a lot for comfort and guidance. There is a certain soft glow to a lot of your work which is easy to rest your eyes on and feel a gentle intimacy with the images. But just like being home, there can also be a feeling of hiding from the outside world. A sanctuary that is too comforting that you never want to leave. Your photo series have a balance between the two. It invites me in and also makes me want to stay, but releases me more rested and ready than before I encountered it. A true feeling of home.

After getting to know your work for the last year I have noticed this strong theme of comfort and intimacy. Family and friends, laying in your bed with your sister, laughing over ice cream, observing people on the beach. All precious moments that have been captured in a unique light. The one that resonated with me most was your mother and sister laughing while eating ice cream together. Even though I was seeing images of people that weren’t my family, I knew the feeling immediately. I can’t wait to see where you go with your photography in the future!

WINNIE WINE

MINA

Lily Gates

Most likely to get really into performance art

California-based Lily has been honing her skills as a photographer and photoshop-enthusiast for the past few years. She creates semi-abstract works with a focus on global religion, spirituality, and philosophy. Making art allows for her to visualise deeper concepts and worldbuild. Lily aims to suck viewers into an alternate reality filled with dreamlike figures and warped structures.

The first word that comes to my mind when I think of your work is unique, there really isn’t anyone that I’ve seen here at UW that does the kind of work you do, which is special. Much like your personality, your artwork is trippy but in the best way possible, I think that your work is really a reflection of the complicated stuff going on inside your head. Besides that, I’ve loved seeing the ways you approach topics that you otherwise might not, like when we did the Sonder group exhibition. It was so cool to see you branch out into something new and succeed in a such a fun way. I hope to see you continue to create more psychedelic and fascinating work!

PATRICK SKEFFINGTON

The Visit, 2023 Photograph edited digitally

Lily, your artwork may not be for the faint-hearted, but your skillful use of Photoshop and lighting techniques combined with surreal visuals create a captivating viewing experience that makes me wonder if I ate the wrong mushrooms. You have stated in the past that your experience with synesthesia has influenced the type of work you create, which is evident in the way that you edit and shoot your photography. While light is an essential aspect of photography, your work particularly focuses on how light can bend, enhance, obscure, and colorize an image. What draws me in most about your work is not only the strangeness of the worlds you create but also their familiarity with our own world. Many of your visuals incorporate symbols, and objects found throughout history and give them an eerie yet recognizable quality by twisting their associated themes. Perhaps it is the synesthesia-infused photography, but I feel transported into a familiar yet uneasy setting when I look at your work. I can almost hear the electronic music in the background of a dark nightclub, where ever-changing aberrations of the night occupy the dance floor.

PATRICK MACLEOD AMMANN

Cas Haddad

Most likely to be working on 3 projects simultaneously

I use art as a method of storytelling, emphasizing cultural narratives that would otherwise be forgotten, and communicating internal dialog. As a multimedia artist, I aim to explore the intersections of identity through art and design. My work is based on the ways my identity as Asian/Latine and queer coexist with one another, but also how these identities cause internal conflict.

For me, to be an artist is to allow yourself to be vulnerable andto be comfortable with being uncomfortable. As an artist, I allow myself and create a space for my audience to be vulnerable as we reflect upon our identities and what does it mean to be yourself.

Cas, your works are truly inspiring, you use your talents, your magic, and your works to make us think. I admire how you always challenge yourself to use different ways to showcase the ideas you have. Your works hit home, and always make me think of my experiences growing up. Thanks for showing us the vulnerable side of you in your art and being honest with how you feel. Thanks for being bold to make your statements, that sometimes I feel like I’m too scared to do. Thanks for being an amazing artist, and for giving out good feedback and ideas in class. Thank you for being you, thank you for being a good friend. I’m so grateful that I got to know you and to learn with you.

APRIL HONG

I’m Sorry, 2022

Photographic print

Your approach to life is truly inspiring, I am constantly struck by your warmth and kindness, you have an ability to make everyone feel included and valued. Your ability to tell stories through art is remarkable, and as someone from a similarly traditional Asian family, I can relate to many of the themes and experiences you explore in your work. While I cannot claim to fully understand or have experienced what you have been through, please know that I deeply respect and admire you for who you are today. Your bravery and positive attitude in the face of adversity is great.

I hope you will continue to have an infectious enthusiasm and positive attitude, and I know you will continue to make an impact on the world around you. Wish you all the best!

JEAN (JIAYI) LI

Victor Hayesser Nardini Simoes

Most likely to dress up fancy for class

Born in Florianópolis, Brasil, Victor Simoes moved to the United States in 2019 to pursue their nightmare of studying abroad and !finally! graduated with a BA in the School of Art + Art History + Design, Photo/Media Concentration at the University of Washington, Seattle, in 2023. Working with Installation, sound, readymades, and performance, they address issues such as new hierarchies of power, boundaries, control, and shifting cultural and economic contradictions. She believes in art as a vehicle for potentially transformative political expression, where art transforms because art moves. Beyond their work, they enjoy radical political organizing, hyper pop, and their beloved cats.

Seeing Victor develop their artistic style over the years has been a wonderful sight to see. The progression of their installation work has gotten bolder and more unconventional in the best way. Victor can incorporate materials that I would not expect to see in a gallery space and it amazes me everytime. My imagination can run wild as I attempt to analyze the details and symbols of their work. I am always anticipating what they might pull off next. Their work makes the audience do the labor to understand the ideas being represented. I always appreciate their critique and ideas in class which drives my work even further. It is truly an honor to have Victor as a classmate and wish them the best!

CAS HADDAD

It had been an absolute pleasure connecting with your incredible artwork over the course of these quarters. Watching you evolve and grow as an artist had been truly heartwarming. Your passion and dedication are evident in every piece you create, both in galleries and in your daily life. Your unique and captivating fashion sense is a testament to your ability to express yourself as an artist, both inside and out. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to witness your journey firsthand, and it is truly an honor to call you our fellow classmate. The memories we share of saying “I went to school with him! We had the same classes.” are ones that we will always cherish.

JEFFREY KYLE

April Hong

April Hong is a Taiwanese American artist based in Seattle, focusing on digital photography. She picked up her first camera at the age of 15 and hasn’t stopped photographing since then. She has drawn inspiration from solo travels, dances, hikes, and connections with different people in different spaces. The majority of her works were created during her solo trips. Having the space and time to fully take in what’s going on is essential to her.

Dear April, I wanted to express how much I admire your street photography. Your work captures the essence of daily life in a way that’s raw, honest, and deeply moving. You have a unique talent for highlighting the beauty in the ordinary, whether it’s a group of people chatting on a street corner or a vendor selling fresh produce at a market.

What impresses me the most is the energy and passion you bring to your work. You seem to have an unending curiosity about the world, always seeking out new experiences and perspectives to capture through your lens. I find that truly inspiring, and it’s motivated me to get out of my own comfort zone and explore more of the world around me.

Your photographs tell stories that are both universal and personal, capturing the human experience in all its complexity and diversity. It’s no wonder that your work has been recognized and celebrated by so many people.

In short, I just wanted to say thank you for being an inspiration and for sharing your talent with the world. I can’t wait to see where your creative journey takes you next!

Most likely to travel the world QUOC

Untitled, 2022, Digital photography

Your work connects with the part of me that is spontaneous, the part of me that never stops talking, is open and loud. Traveling has from what you’ve told me impacted your life in a magnetic way, it has changed your approach on life and has opened you more to the world. This translates into your photography because of the genuine ways you approach photography. You see the color and the beauty in the people and places you travel. You maneuver within these surroundings with such ease, and I’d say it has to do with your innate capability to make people feel welcomed. It has been great to see your artistic growth overtime. Your work at the beginning of the year is completely different to the work you are making now and it has been such an experience seeing how we have developed as artists and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next April!

HANGA L. GARCIA SERRANO

Mina (Mei-Lin) Hung

Most likely to fall asleep during class

Mina (Mei-Lin) Hung was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan. She found passion in art through her academic journey to the United States. As an artist, her strength is to observe little details in life which people might overlook, and present them in an aesthetic way to show audiences the hidden beauty of the world. Mina often utilizes mix media materials to play with exhibition space in both 2D and 3D way, bringing elements in the photographs in front of the audience. Through her work, she expresses the world she perceives with a poetic perspective.

Mina’s work is elaborated from questions specific to the relationships of photography andarchitecture, sometimes through a series of photographs highlighting patterns that pass unnoticed in day-to-day life or constructed environments inside museums and galleries. Mina’s pieces present an acute attention to detail and translate her unique perception of what most would consider trivial instances into carefully crafted compositions. Mina’s works using geometry and patterns, light, shadows and colors, confuse the viewer’s interpretation by revealing new forms and shapes. She searches the streets for spaces and objects, often turning to places that would not be considered artistic and/or pleasing to the eye, transforming the overlooked into art.

VICTOR SIMOES

Why Romance?, 2022 Paper, Sewing Thread, Image Projection

Mina is an artist who focuses on nature and whimsy. Her work is always lighthearted and fun to look at. The viewer is always treated with lots of color and excitement when looking at her work. The joy that jumps out of the work is always contagious. Mina is an expert at making art that is engaging and eye pleasing to artists and non artists alike.

I think that Mina does a great job at keeping the work simplistic and not trying too hard to overdo things. I find that there is beauty within simplicity and the work that she makes is a testament to that philosophy. While the images are simple in nature, the ideas and meanings behind the art are always impactful and it leaves the viewer with something after they are done experiencing it. She crafts work of complexity, simplicity, fun and color so it stands out wherever it is being presented. This style always leaves the viewer wanting more and being curious about what the next artwork will be.

BENJAMIN WILLIAMS

Ellie Keane

Most likely to start their own gallery

My name is Ellie Keane, I am from the Bay Area in California and am studying Art with a concentration in photo media at the University of Washington. I have always loved using creative thinking and having a creative outlet to resort to, whether that be photography, crocheting, painting/drawing, music, or fashion. Photography has always remained a constant within my scholastic and personal life. Photomedia has allowed me to express myself in an unapologetic way, bringing humor, playfulness, and experimentation into my projects. I now enjoy the retrospective approach I have taken to photography, approaching my practice in a way that values experimentation and immediate emotions, encouraging my audience to leave the realm of academia when experiencing my work.

Ellie,

When I think of your work, I immediately think of how much your work has evolved since I first saw it from Autumn Quarter Art 440. I initially became interested in your pursuit to blur the lines between different methods of presentation when you uniquely displayed your video project on blank canvases. Watching you experiment with your work over time really emphasizes how you value the viewer experience and how unexpected and comedic elements play into your work. In your latest work, you combined it all to create an incredible visual experience. Each clip serves to draw the viewer’s attention to a specific movement while also being subtle enough for viewers to come back and want to view it again. Overall, Ellie, you strive to create visually appealing pieces of art that create confusion between two and three dimensions and I find that very captivating

Art as fun, art as confusion, art as funky, art as Ellie Keane! I can’t help but be excited and inspired by every piece you have shown. The way you use color, movement, form, and everything in between has a flare that is uniquely you!

Throughout each quarter of classes we have had together, your work challenged my own understanding of what photography and video can be by choosing exciting and unexpected elements from projections on top of images to unique props – like bugs! I feel like the video you displayed in the Jacob Lawrence this May is a great representation of your creative mind. The video is both playful and mind-bending, the images replace, represent, and actively participate in an artist’s personal space. Your ability to distort the process of art-making entirely by photographing, printing, distorting, re-photographing, and repeating made the still image a time-based piece, and a video an image. For me, it truly represents the phrase, “I wish I thought of that.” Nonetheless, your work proves that art can be fun, frustrating, adventurous, and exciting all at the same time and I am so excited to see what is next!

ELLIE PETERSEN

Bloom, 2023

Jayce Knerr

Most likely to bring a huge water bottle to class

The art of storytelling is what drives me to create. Through still photography or with the use of motion in cinematography, creating a piece that is inspiring to the viewer is my goal as an artist. Being born in Washington state has fueled my passion for nature and using its beauty in my artwork. Preserving this beauty to live on for future generations is the fundamental backbone of my pieces. While double majoring in Photo/Media and Environmental studies my artwork combines these to create compelling work showcasing our surrounding environment in artistic and educational ways. My documentary styled work hopes to preserve what may be lost, with hopes to inspire future change on environmental related issues.

ruinous war, 2023

Photographic series

Jayce is an artist who specializes in photomedia and cinephotography. His work focuses on the environment and it always has a sense of mystery and self reflection. The viewer is encouraged to figure out and grapple with the subtle ideas and story that is being told so that they have a full understanding of the work. The sense of mystery that oozes out of his work is created by the sounds and colors that he chooses to highlight.

I think his work is aesthetically pleasing to look at while also having a deeper message to it. I believe that type of storytelling is great at getting the viewer to engage and want to ask more questions. I think that this is even more apparent with his most recent work that was shown in the Jacob Lawrence Gallery. The black frame that contained the pictures adds a kind of gravity to the images that shows that he has mastery of his style and subtle story telling. It emphasizes an ominous and devious undertone that is felt but not seen.

BENJAMIN WILLIAMS

Jayce you bring a unique perspective to every piece, whether working with moving images, stills, or physical objects. Experimenting with different techniques and lighting. This piece shows the growth throughout the quarters. You are constantly striving to better yourself which is evident in your work. You never hesitated to reach out or give a helping hand. This piece makes me think about how personal and vulnerable a bathroom is. It’s a “sacred” place to some, the use of lighting and black water/paint to me acts sort of as thoughts we have in the shower or bathroom. Most of these thoughts are negatively critiquing ourselves trying to be and look “perfect”. Overall there is such a dark aurora about these images, showing the imperfections of humans.

NICK TIESKOETTER

What is beauty, 2021, Photograph

Jeffrey Kyle

Most likely to be in a reality tv show

Jeffrey Kyle is a Seattle-based photographer who uses his art to confront preconceptions and depictions of disability, specifically those that are not always visible on the outside. Having experienced disability himself, Jeffrey is keenly aware of the emotional pain and internal struggles that often accompany this condition. Through his work, he aims to bring attention to the lived experiences of those with disabilities, highlighting the scars of the past and memories that may never be forgotten.

Despite the challenges he has faced, Jeffrey is a passionate artist with a love of road trips and capturing the beauty of the Pacific Northwest through his lens. His work extends beyond traditional frameworks and landscapes, offering viewers a fresh perspective on the world around them. By sharing his experiences through his art, Jeffrey intends to raise awareness of the diverse range of human experiences and encourage greater empathy and understanding.

Jeffrey’s work reflects the construction of contemporary narratives around disability issues. He constructs pieces that extend to everything that meets the gaze, placing himself as an active observer of the world using his own past lived experiences, reality and personal struggles as a primordial tool of his craft. Jeffrey’s work surprises me and strikes me at the same time. He produces political statements that translate the experience of disability through using specific tools such as wheelchairs, pill bottles and crutches. Through his eyes, I was able to understand disability better and sympathize with situations I have never encountered in my life. As a sensitive body that has long recognized itself as living in a mix of life and performance, Jeffrey invites the audience to ride on a journey with him of self-recognition and ownership of his own body.

VICTOR HAYSSER NARDINI SIMOES

Tree Singularity, 2022

Photographs

Seeing Jeffrey’s work evolve over the last eight months has been exciting to watch. His understanding of photographic composition has evolved, in ways that draw the audience even closer to his work. Seeing the unseen with disabilities, and injuries has broadened my mind about how mentally tough it can be on someone. Jeffrey opening up about his past and sharing his experiences in an artistic way, is what is so empowering. Bringing his photographic knowledge into three dimensional sculptures excites me as a viewer. I can speculate but am always amazed at what Jeffrey has hidden up his sleeves for the next exhibition.

JAYCE KNERR

Hoiying Megan Lam

Most likely to be printing before class

Megan Lam is a conceptual multimedia artist whose work strives to engage audience with immersive sensory experience. She utilizes the flexibility and contrast of lights and shadows, along with media such as photography, videography and installation to create one-of-a-kind pieces.

Megan typically establishes light and beautifully bright colours isolated in a sea of black. Her images are quiet, peaceful, and uniquely pacifying. She creates a beautiful relationship between the audience and the work that she makes. There is a feeling of intimacy, as though you are looking through her camera lens and are being sucked into the moment. When I gaze into each work, all noises around me go mute and time slows down. It’s incredible.

Based on her art, I can infer that Megan is a romantic that prefers peace and quiet. To her, there is no need to shake the earth with her presence. Instead, she shows you the silent beauty in things we often take for granted. I appreciated her establishing a place of peace in each show I have been a part of with her. I cannot wait to see what she accomplishes after undergrad.

LILY GATES

Interpretation, 2023 Prints

Bus Stop, 2023 Print and string lights

I remember the time you installed that hanging bus stop in Odegaard library and I was completely amazed by the way you can take something that is simple and ordinary and make it tell a story, evoke a certain mood thats undeniably captivating. The way that you play with scale has always been something I’ve really admired, like your larger than life “Black Hole” sculptural piece that was so big you could climb into it! Which I of course did try, and I was completely enveloped within your art, literally and metaphorically. Despite the fact that you’re a photo-media major, your works go so much more beyond being prints hanging on white walls. All of your works have really taken such thought and time to execute and it shows in the result. Im genuinely so excited to hopefully see you expand and continue to build such a cool and diverse body of art.

PATRICK SKEFFINGTON

Jean (Jiayi) Li

Most likley to change their project last minute

As a passionate and innovative photo media artist, my ultimate goal is to inspire others through my art. I aim to create works that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also thought-provoking and emotionally impactful. My art has been deeply influenced by my personal experiences, and I hope that through my work, others can gain new perspectives and appreciation for the world around them. By evoking emotion and sparking imagination, I believe that art has the power to shape our lives and transform society.

I remember the first time seeing your previous work with flowers. You are good at story telling through objects that symbolize parts of yourself. Your work is always elegant and self-reflective. In your final work in the senior exhibition, you bravely share your emotional struggles with the audiences. I enjoy that there are many details for the viewers to discover, and that you use interesting installations to strengthen the piece. Overall, you are a creative artist who reflects on your own life in your blooming work.

MINA (MEI-LIN) HUNG

Grass Never Dies, 2023 Wood, plaster, grass/moss.

How do you see yourself, 2022 Photography, mirror, flowers

Your work speaks to me on many levels. Each piece gets illuminated by the one that came before it and so on. I have loved to see the different projects you have turned in over the years. They each have strong feminine aesthetics yet a deeper feeling of self love and empowerment. Your work is a great example of processing and healing through art making. I understand a lot of the struggles that you have addressed in your art and have deeply enjoyed the journey you have been on in her art making.

Lately, I’ve noticed a motif of plants in her work, representing growth. Yet you find ways of relating this to her personally and stay super original in installation and form. Your work has always spoken for itself and needed no explanation by using strong symbols. In my opinion, that is something really rare and special to find in a young artist. Some of my favorites have included the saran wrapped mirror and the wall of plants. The materials used have always been extremely visceral and emotional. I will be happy to see what else you come up with in your career!

Patrick MacLeod Ammann

Most likely to join a cult

As a local PNW photographer and environmentalist who grew up surrounded by nature on the peninsula, my relationship with the planet and the people around me has always influenced my artwork. Creating art has never just been about personal growth, but encouraging others to grow as well and learn about themselves and the world around them. I explore social, political, and environmental themes that impact my generation. I want to inspire change in the status quo for the improvement of the environment and our quality of life.

Invisible Hand, 2023

Inkjet print in a ornate painted plaster frame

What stands out to me the most is your passion for environmental issues, and I cannot stress how much I respect and admire the way you incorporate environmental elements in your work. Focusing on land use could limit ways to make art and imagination but you successfully combat that every time. It seems that you also take many photographs of animals and you have the ability to make even stray animals beautiful. It is bold, too, that you are not afraid of manipulating colors in your prints. It is almost like you have swirled around a painting palette and found the most interesting colors to play with, even when it is gray and brown, you fix them to become captivating.

Patrick adds a modern, surreal twist to his artwork. His subjects usually include natural substances (e.g. plants, animals, etc.) with some form of distortion. Patrick is also concise and straight to the point with his artworks. With his use of sharpness, high contrast, and easily-distinguishable subjects, he establishes a sense of drive. Rightly so, as he is very passionate about environmental sustainability and education.

Patrick adds passion and purpose to exhibitions that he is a part of. He brings activism to the artistic space that establishes an addicting sharpness to the melting pot of artistic visions. It is refreshing interacting with someone of that calibre, and I wish him the best with his endeavours after undergrad.

LILY GATES

Dissociating in Commerce, 2022

Inkjet prints hung on string with clothespins on cardboard with Seattle newspaper mache

HOIYING MEGAN LAM

Viet NguyenDo

Most likely to always forget their SD cards

Viet NguyenDo is an artist at the University of Washington that explores the art of layering media through the lens of critiquing the modern addiction to technology. His work consists of photography and digital media however his installations can vary in presentation from prints to projection. Through his practice, Viet is able to critique his daily life around him, while also being able to reflect upon himself. His interest in layering stems from the idea that layered images can create new meaning when they are combined or juxtaposed together.

The nature of Viet’s work is so relevant to today’s world with social media, and computer devices. His ability to draw the viewer into his own critique almost toying with your imagination is quite fascinating. Using sounds, or visionary elements to set off triggers within one’s mind is almost daunting yet ingenious. Viet’s work makes me question the true effect of social media and computers in our current society. His work pushes the idea that we are indeed trapped in the matrix, controlled by technology.

JAYCE KNERR

The Digital Attention Span, 2023 Monitor

Viet has been very innovative over these past quarters, his works have made me think deeply about the impact of social media. It has become irreplaceable but it has its problems, the amount of consumption I do scrolling through content is insane hours and hours go by just scrolling on my phone. With so much content and different platforms, how much do I really need? Most of its recycled content with little creativity. It’s almost a drug, an addiction. It’s been interesting to see your work and how well it relates to today’s world.

The Digital Grasp, 2022 Projector, monitor, iPad, and tables

NICK TIESKOETTER

Logan Parsons

Most likely to break the law for their art

My work is based primarily in research and synthesis. The goal is to excavate a subject and find what has slipped through the cracks, discovering, combining, and amplifying those details of our world that are often obscured by the desire for a decisive truth. I do not restrict myself to a specific medium, using whatever means I feel best communicate the ideas I uncover. In the words of Emil Cioran, “I construct a form of universe; I believe in it, and it is the universe, which collapses nonetheless under the assault of another certitude or another doubt.”

“The Mystery of Space, 2022 Silver gelatin prints, inkjet text on foam core

Hey Logan, it always gives me a strong feeling and blows my mind every time I see your works. The variety of your art pieces is not fixed, sometimes it is landscape, sometimes it’s like a feeling of watching the scenes of a film. You are always innovating, but one thing that does not change at all, is your amazing talent in photography. All the works show your extraordinary photographic skills and understanding of photography. Your artworks are of ten simple and clean but bring inner peace to the audience. I think the work in your senior show also brought you to a new level, which encourages people to think out of the box, to innovate, to promote the collision of ideas. I feel so happy being a classmate with you and appreciate seeing your fantastic works in my college life.

“Mind” from the series “Bareley Legal,” 2023 Scanned Object

Logan is one of those people in the class who never fails to surprise me with his niche ideas and projects. Over the past two years, I have seen Logan produce ambiguous sculptural work, timeless film photos, stunning landscapes, and retrospective research based projects. You never know what to expect when Logan shows up to critique. I can never guess what he will be presenting or what he has to say, but nevertheless I am intrigued and surprised every time. I think my favorite project I have seen from Logan has to be his most recent one that he showed in The Jacob Lawrence Gallery for our Grad show, highlighting the topic of unclassified and unregulated drugs, something I had never thought of as a major topic of debate before. I think this project is a quintessential example for why I appreciate Logan’s presence in class so much. He always brings fresh ideas to the table and topics I’ve never heard or thought twice about before. I know Logan will continue to keep people on their toes with his thought process and projects after graduation and I am excited to see it!

ELLIE KEANE

Ellie Petersen

Most likely to bug Nick and Sean

Growing up around the farms of Ridgefield (WA) and the eccentric spirit of Portland, my art follows my curiosity about the similarities and differences within my surrounding environments. Informed by lived experiences, generational histories, and contemporary dialogues, my art practice uses objects, places, and attitudes as a source to divert assumptions and negotiate the ways people find belonging through changing cycles of perception and environments.

In and out of interest, 2023 Photograph

Your work makes me think about the environments/interiors I occupy, their individuality and quirks that make them what they are to me and to the various people that interact with them. It also makes me think about how differently we all live and how our environments shape us to be the people we ultimately become. How not only our environments but our parents, where were born, the things we eat and grow up with shape our perspective of the world. You find beauty in the environments you maneuver around in. Through your photography you embrace each item or location as its own unique entity. It feels as if you’re documenting them to keep track of the various interiors, but you do so with such curiosity and need to understand why they’re important to you. Your recent incorporation of text in your images has been my favorite aspect of your growth as an artist. I always look forward to seeing what you come up with because it always blows me away and leaves me feeling inspired and ready to start my next idea!

Ellie, You have this talent where you can turn seemingly mundane and meaningless settings into ones that tell stories yet are ambiguous, meticulously detailed yet simple. The way you put a series of images in conversation with each other is pure magic. I have always loved the way you choose to present your photos whether it is adding text, changing the orientation, or placement of the images. It is like your projects are choreographed, every decision made behind each photo holds meaning and contributes to this indescribable feeling you get when looking at your work and it leaves you satisfied yet confused and wanting more. On top of your own artistic eye, you have such a talent for helping others further their own artistic vision. You have always approached critique with such grace, always letting people know that what you have to say is your opinion and we don’t have to take it into account, but we always do! Your ideas and advice are so helpful when I am stuck or second guessing my own work. I always appreciate what you have to say because it holds a weight that is genuine and honest. Ellie, it has been great getting to know you as an artist and a friend. I hope the path you take after graduation is one that is creative and where you can keep growing as an artist!

Working Pants, 2022 Photograph

HANGA L. GARCIA SERRANO

Yue Qin

Most likely to become famous

Yue Qin, a senior student in the University of Washington, who was born in Shenzhen, a coastal city in southeast China. Photography for her is the simplest and most intuitive way to record and express. She didn’t know how to describe a couple embrace at the sunrise their attachment. But her camera can record these all. It can freeze the soft eyes between them of that moment. The pleasure of photography is the accurate feedback of the beauty of reality and heart. It expressed her views on beauty and dealt with the world in its unique language.

City Memory, 2022, Photographs

Yue, while you may be quiet and reserved in classes, your work speaks for itself. You have an admirable sensitivity to the emotional and temporal, showing how the flow of one’s mind and the world around them intermingle. You have the ability to both capture the emotion of a single moment, as well as being able to effectively communicate the feeling of the passage of time. While your work ranges from the personal level to the global, you provide insights into both equally effectively. It’s been a pleasure to get a chance to see your perspective of the world.

Untitled, 2023, Video

Personal connections and nostalgia are what I find at the forefront of Yue’s work. I always find myself reflecting on past experiences and memories that I wouldn’t have thought about otherwise. My imagination takes me to times when I forgot events existed or appreciated moments that I didn’t before. Yue’s work is a poetic representation of herself and her memories which alludes to the feeling of nostalgia. The themes of time and the human experience are often things I associate with her work and are translated from project to project. I am usually left questioning the reason she chose specific memories to share with the audience, why these moments hold so much significance, and how we as audience members can take a look into our own lives to achieve that feeling of nostalgia.

Patrick Skeffington

Most likely to be seen collecting trash for their art

The subject matters of my work are often the everyday objects and people that most of us are surrounded by with a specific interest in textures that are both disgusting and captivating. I like to find the beauty that others may not look for in these objects and bring it out for others to see. After my fathers restaurant closed down permanently, I found myself creating works based on my own personal experience surrounding ideas such as labor, capitalism, perseverance, and the grittiness that surrounds these ideas. My ambition is to uncover how these harsh realities can affect individuals and society as a whole.

You always have an eye for what is interesting and what is the most effective composition for a photo. The way you present disheartening social phenomena is authentic and exciting, whether it be a criticism of modern attitude toward love, or capitalism, you have your own kind of humor that lifts the inherent weight of these issues. In some other work, I see that you like to take many black and white photos, which coincidentally match your clothes. You seem to always wear darker colors, if not black and white, and I guess this is what people say about how a piece of art can reflect the personality and characteristics of the artist.

Hoiying Megan Lam

Patrick, your artwork causes me to reflect on my own existence and the structures that govern our daily lives. Through your use of black-and-white photography with selective color, I am reminded of how things in my life have aged for better or for worse. When viewing your work I often find myself contemplating the consumerist, capitalist nature of our society and the daily struggles that come with managing it. You have expressed that your art is a response to your feelings towards capitalism, drawing from your own experiences working in the restaurant industry. Your artwork makes me reminisce about the mundane moments that make up our everyday lives and inspires me to appreciate the peaceful simplicity of something I never paid much attention to. Whether it be displaying repurposed items of the past or images that evoke a feeling of monotony and tirelessness when working within the capitalist system. Your work evokes a sense of nostalgia for the aspects of life that often go unappreciated, and reminds me of the pros and cons of this system we find ourselves stuck in, along with the many frustrations and limitations that come with being an adult in a capitalist system.

Inkjet

The Last Valentine, 2023

print

PATRICK MACLEOD AMMANN

Tieskoetter Nick

...Most likely to skip graduation

My name is Nick Tieskoetter, I’ve been taking photos and moving images for about 3 years. One of the things I really enjoy about photo/media is the editing process because you are able to manipulate things how you see fit. Some hobbies of mine are sports, video games, the outdoors, and spending time with friends/family. I also sometimes like to include my hobbies in my work, especially sports. Taking photos has given me the opportunity to meet so many people and given me lots of opportunities.

Nick, on first seeing your work in our earliest classes together, it was immediately obvious that you are a very talented sports photographer. Seeing your evolution from that to really being an artist and the way you’ve been able to elevate your passion for sports into the realm of art has been a pleasure to observe and participate in through critique. With each work you’ve made, you’ve has advanced the breadth and depth of your thought, while staying true to your goals. Athletics in our culture is often seen in conflict with learning and art, but you reject this and work to reunite them. You’ve used the lens of sports to reflect human lives as a whole, showing the effects of our bodies, the influence of numbers, chance, and faith on our outcomes in our society. I look forward to seeing how the work you’ve done here influences your continued work in the discipline of sports photography and turning it into art.

LOGAN PARSONS

Ball, 2022 QR code and Papier-mâché

While I may not know much about sports, I can see your passion for the field in your work. I appreciate the way you are able to use your photography to tell the stories of athletes and their experiences. Your love of sports is a major source of inspiration for your photography and I am sure your talent and passion will take you far in this industry. Whether you continue to specialize in sports photography or explore other areas of this art form, I know you will continue to create beautiful and inspiring images that touch the hearts and minds of your viewers.

JEAN (JIYAYI) LI

Benjamin Williams

Most likely to accidentally break their camera

Whenever I create art, I always aim for it to be engaging for both artists and non artists alike. I want my work to be refreshing and take a break from the political side of what art can sometimes be. The work that I make aims to be fun, cool and slightly mysterious in nature. If my work makes you think, then I have accomplished my goal.

Case 72 file 1, 2021, Photography

Ben, you are quite literally a man of mystery! As someone who loves a good puzzle to solve, your developing storyline has been rich with themes of detective work, government correspondence, and overall themes of surveillance. It has been really fun to watch this story develop over several quarters! Each installation is its own puzzle to decode and the depth of the clues provided takes my imagination into new places – going quickly from serious matters and references to real-life political figures to well-timed notes of humor (such as leaving a cup of black coffee on the desk and calling to the audience in the piece saying it is exactly how we would like it)! Overall, your wide array of images, props, and various modes of text encourages me to put myself into the role of your characters, while at the same time truly speaking for itself. I am looking forward to seeing where your imagination and storytelling skills take you in the future!

Hi Ben! I really like your works, and the continuity it has. I still remember the first time I saw your work and it really shocked me with your talent, and creative ideas. You perfectly combine photography and elements of being a detective which make the audience engage with the work. I see the works multiple dimensions and fully feel the rich meaning behind the works. I think your work expands people’s horizons, revealing new ways of seeing and special ways of creating. It’s always interesting and exciting to see and explore the meaning and solution. It was a great experience being a classmate with you. Hope you have a great rest of your college life!

Warp, 2020 Photography

ELLIE PETERSEN

Winnie Wine

Most likely to sleep in the art building

I am a visual storyteller from San Mateo, California. I focus on storytelling through filmmaking and analogue photography. Over the years my work has gone from themes of fantastical and absurd, to romantic and dark, to a mixture of both. My work also extends into costume and production design on film sets. I think of my art as personal journal entries and also am moving towards writing. In the future I hope to incorporate more performance into my work, on and off the screen/ photograph.

Heyyy Whatsupppp gurrllll? Oh, Winne, I’m so glad I got to meet you and peaked into how you see this world for a bit. I really enjoy seeing your work, not only do you have mind-blowing ideas that are humorous and make me laugh (Sometimes I wish I had your imagination and your humor and could think of crazy ideas.), but you also put so much effort and care into things that you care about, and THAT is contagious. I enjoy the rawness in your work, you make me think about little things in my daily life that I don’t normally care about, and appreciate them more. Thank you for making me see art differently- it is truly refreshing.

I have to admit, when we first met, I was a little intimidated by your “Regina George” vibe. But boy, was I wrong! Getting to know you through our classes together has been a pleasant surprise. You’ve shown yourself to be a supportive and honest classmate, always ready to give constructive feedback that helps us all improve.

And don’t even get me started on your artwork! Your focus on emotions and ordinary feelings is truly captivating. Your pieces always manage to draw me in and make me feel something. Your enthusiasm is contagious, and your work has pushed me out of my comfort zone more times than I can count. I also have to commend you on how unique and innovative your ideas are! The way you approach your viewers through various mediums is truly one-of-a-kind. I always look forward to seeing what you come up with next. Your “Burning Nails” project is definitely a standout for me - I still can’t believe how you managed to turn such an everyday object into a powerful work of art. Keep pushing boundaries and inspiring us all with your creativity!

Thank you for being such a wonderful presence in our class, and for showing me that first impressions aren’t always accurate. You’re a gem, and I’m lucky to have you as a classmate.