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Each year the Graduate Program at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts brings together a panel of distinguished artists, curators, and writers to consider work submitted by MFA thesis students in PAFA's program. This year's 13th annual event panelists were Zoë Charlton, Alex Paik, and Jason Stopa. Meant to collapse the wall between artists and the procedures that determine their opportunities, the panel concludes with each panelist selecting two outstanding students whose work shows great professional promise. This year, Charlton, Paik, and Stopa each selected Rachel D'Angelo and Shannon Murphy from the class of 2021 submissions for this exhibition.

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I believe that a person is always having two conversations simultaneously. They communicate with the outside world and the internal self. My work explores the ways in which we mediate these two dialogues to process the human experience.

I explore the concept of the uncanny through collage, lo-fi sculpture, and video. Beginning with collage materials that I have collected over time, I allow myself to be led by my hand, adding media to my work, and drawing without judgment. This process helps me to unlock the ideas that live beneath the surface of conscious thought. I use these pieces as a frame with which to build upon. The sculptures reenact scenes that originally played in my dreams. They are reminiscent of childhood, while at the same time they represent my experience of being a woman. The juxtaposition of materials that I employ, such as found objects and household materials helps me to represent the multitude of realities that coexist to form the present moment. Heavier materials such as wood and clay remind me of the physical constructs and limitations of reality. In contrast, the household materials evoke the intimacy of our individual existence. The kinesthetics of the pieces represents the freedom and wonder that consciousness provides within the mind.

I aim to create a miniature world that encapsulates experiences and reflects realities unseen. I hope to uncover and embrace with the self that is deeper than the persona I display to others and inspire the viewer to meet their deeper self as well.

IG: @rachelrdangelo
Email: dangelorach@gmail.com

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What happens when you mix childlike, joyful elements with what we might deem disgusting, or unwelcoming-- cigarillo butts, tooth floss, earplugs, chain-link fencing, broken glass? My materials include but are not limited to found fabrics, window blinds, and yes, thrown away detritus I find in the streets.

As an artist, my work weaves in craft, pattern-design and abstraction while reflecting upon the domestic and late-capitalism. I create mixed-media sculptures, installations, and wearable art by way of upcycling and constructing through assembling and repetition. My passion for the passed-down, familial knowledge in historically female crafts began as a desire to connect with my great-grandmother, whose quilts I inherited, and continues as a way to connect with myself. As a queer person, I use quilting, crochet, and sewing methodologies as a healing practice, to introduce a level of care and consideration towards the trash and found materials. When encased in quilted fabric and worn by a body, these previously worthless components are elevated to the status of adornment and decoration. Discarded, broken window blinds take on a new personality of rebellion and absurdity when painted and lined with fabric. The materials’ futuristic, androgynous, tough and colorful aesthetic reflects a surreal and dystopian world where traditional craft, DIY and deconstruction are recombined with trash and modernism to reflect on the present. I want the work to encourage others to see materials, situations, and ultimately ourselves as deserving of love and capable of radical change.

IG: @shanonmurphy
Email: shannonmrph5@gmail.com

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2020
Broken glass, mirror, and ceramic on plywood, grout, powdered pigments.
24" x 48"

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2020
Acrylic on plywood, plastic chain
52" x 32"

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A Re-telling of My Great Grandmother's Wedding Ring Quilt (front and back)

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A Re-telling of My Great Grandmother's Wedding Ring Quilt (front and back)

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2019
Acrylic on canvas and plywood, sewing pins.
48" x 24" x 17"

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Waiting (For It to Pass or for Something to Happen)

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Waiting (For It to Pass or for Something to Happen)

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2019
Vertical blinds, spray paint
84" x 78"

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2020
Garment sewn with found objects and fabrics. Worn by Olive Guerra, photographed by Gabriela Guerra in Arizona.
Dimensions variable.

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2019-2020
Crochet (cotton cord), velvet, fringe, fake leaves, quilt batting, fabric dye, plywood
33" x 22"

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2019
Acrylic, oil, spray paint, found fabric, ceramic eyes on canvas
60" x 48"

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2020
Video
Duration 2:43
Link:

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2020
Video
Duration 1:26
Link:

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2020
Video
Duration 3:33

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2019
Oven door, aluminum sheets, mirrors, spinning toys, baking tray
37" x 30" x 18"

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2019
Umbrella, motor with feather
70" x 66" x 66"

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2019
Car bumper with bolts and yarn
38" x 26" x 10"

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2019
Vinyl and bed frame
70" x 50" x 4"

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2020
Magazines, photographs, found objects, stamped lined paper
37" x 34"