BFA Thesis Exhibit

Niall Cheney

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Artist Statement

“We Flux and We Flummox”


Guides come and go through life
but they cannot tell you what sparks your heart.
This is the journey of life; figuring out
what you enjoy and attaining all of it.
We might run, trudge, fall,
but we move forwards.


This body of work is about navigating within exploration. Experimenting keeps the process fresh and many materials have been utilized for this body of work, be they seen or unseen. Restrictions artistically hold back from base impulses, which are what inspired this body of work.

Visual themes which are important to this are color, rhythm, depth and abstract space. When utilizing specific imagery most important is how it correlates with the concept, which works in tandem with the imagery. The goal of these visuals is engaging communication with the viewer.

Deciding a concept can happen during development of an image or before. Colors, images and movement have meanings to the self, and are not individual to a specific project. Some works are much deeper in concept than others, but all receive an equal treatment in visually communicating everything thought of in concept.

These works are reactions off of reactions, so concepts are mainly one and done. Repeating concepts too soon can harm the process of visualization, as a main goal in this work is to continue moving on. Concepts of interest are returned to occasionally, but not until enough time has passed where an entirely new groundwork can be built mentally around it.

The titles won’t entirely answer your questions as a viewer. They operate as the only direct communication to the viewer who will be encouraged to understand certain details differently or provide only partial context. Titles can also make a theme more apparent if it is subtle.

Artistic movements fully identified within this work are German Expressionism and Dadaism. Visual aggression and a comparable appearance to woodblock are two qualities inherited from German Expressionism. Dadaism is utilized as humorous titles and bizarre visual choices and concepts.

An artistic movement identifiable in this work is Futurism, but it is only (at very base concept) their idea of moving forwards and their visual treatment of rhythms and color. There are horrible implications of Futurism and its obvious appearance has to be addressed. Strictly speaking its visuals are fully identified with as well as one base concept, but its manifesto and next to all of its subject matter do not identify within this work whatsoever.

As a viewer, proceed understanding this work is open to interpretation and explore it as thoroughly as you wish.

The image is mainly composed of different blues, and overall has the texture of a thick acrylic painting. The top is divided by a slightly thick black line which is slightly diagonal, and above it becomes the thick acrylic texture, but a darker blue than what is below. An image of a dog is repeated, one closer to the bottom right of the corner. The dog closer to the top left of the image and the top of the dog’s head is slightly blocked by the black line. Coming from the black line is a very thin black line, which divides the dog closer to the left. Surrounding the dog on the right is an orange line, which also blocks a majority of the left dog’s lower right body. It breaks into a right angle, and the bottom part of the line is longer than the part which goes right, and within it the blues are lighter than what exists outside. The silhouette of the left dog continues over the orange line and over the right dog’s left side, which makes a majority of the right dog various purples. The right dog’s right side is a French gray to a gray blue, and they have a black glow surrounding them, The dog on the left is mainly deep purples and blues. Both dogs have a graphite texture, and noticeable iridescent, papery glow surrounding them. Their expression is very awkward, recalling renaissance paintings. Click to view The image is mainly composed of different blues, and overall has the texture of a thick acrylic painting. The top is divided by a slightly thick black line which is slightly diagonal, and above it becomes the thick acrylic texture, but a darker blue than what is below. An image of a dog is repeated, one closer to the bottom right of the corner. The dog closer to the top left of the image and the top of the dog’s head is slightly blocked by the black line. Coming from the black line is a very thin black line, which divides the dog closer to the left. Surrounding the dog on the right is an orange line, which also blocks a majority of the left dog’s lower right body. It breaks into a right angle, and the bottom part of the line is longer than the part which goes right, and within it the blues are lighter than what exists outside. The silhouette of the left dog continues over the orange line and over the right dog’s left side, which makes a majority of the right dog various purples. The right dog’s right side is a French gray to a gray blue, and they have a black glow surrounding them, The dog on the left is mainly deep purples and blues. Both dogs have a graphite texture, and noticeable iridescent, papery glow surrounding them. Their expression is very awkward, recalling renaissance paintings. Full-Screen

A Dog’s Renaissance // Transfer onto Stonehenge Paper // 30 x 35.313 inches

On the left is a dark purple cloud which, in gradual shades, becomes lilac, pink, and fades into a desaturated yellow behind it. This happens across a third of the image, and unevenly, to mimic a cloud. Breaking from this cloud is a line which wavers into the upper right corner of the piece, going through the same color gradation much quicker and condensed to the body of the line. The desaturated yellow the main cloud blends into becomes an easing gradation as well, going to a teal, a gray purple, a grayed blue, a more saturated ultra marine, then a dark navy. A wispy, pink figure seems to leaning to the cloud of the left, and goes through the same color gradation, but without purple. The figure’s pink as well is brighter than what exists in the cloud. An aura the same color as the desaturated yellow seems to be pulled into the cloud, and gradients into the teal. Click to view On the left is a dark purple cloud which, in gradual shades, becomes lilac, pink, and fades into a desaturated yellow behind it. This happens across a third of the image, and unevenly, to mimic a cloud. Breaking from this cloud is a line which wavers into the upper right corner of the piece, going through the same color gradation much quicker and condensed to the body of the line. The desaturated yellow the main cloud blends into becomes an easing gradation as well, going to a teal, a gray purple, a grayed blue, a more saturated ultra marine, then a dark navy. A wispy, pink figure seems to leaning to the cloud of the left, and goes through the same color gradation, but without purple. The figure’s pink as well is brighter than what exists in the cloud. An aura the same color as the desaturated yellow seems to be pulled into the cloud, and gradients into the teal. Full-Screen

The Jar // Transfer onto Stonehenge Paper // 53.338 x 30 inches

The image consists mainly of warm whites ranging from a light pink, to a light orange, and a light, desaturated green. Otherwise, there are warm blacks, which range from a dark red, to a dark brown, to a black. The image itself is of the ground, edited for the lights and shadows to reflect these colors. There are lines which waver over top, which also match these colors. There is a thin outline which matches the described colors, but where a light color exists it becomes red, and where a dark color exists it becomes black. Click to view The image consists mainly of warm whites ranging from a light pink, to a light orange, and a light, desaturated green. Otherwise, there are warm blacks, which range from a dark red, to a dark brown, to a black. The image itself is of the ground, edited for the lights and shadows to reflect these colors. There are lines which waver over top, which also match these colors. There is a thin outline which matches the described colors, but where a light color exists it becomes red, and where a dark color exists it becomes black. Full-Screen

When I Walk and I Look Down // Transfer onto Stonehenge Paper // 64.963 x 30 inches

The background appears to be a metal plate colored a blood red with light pink scratches. Over top is a repeated image of a wolfish looking dog with a graphite texture, and energetic linework. Between the linework of the dog are darker areas, which turn the background blood red either a navy or dark green. Behind the dog is a subtle glow, on the left it is dark, the right is lighter. The dog’s facial expression is reserved. Click to view The background appears to be a metal plate colored a blood red with light pink scratches. Over top is a repeated image of a wolfish looking dog with a graphite texture, and energetic linework. Between the linework of the dog are darker areas, which turn the background blood red either a navy or dark green. Behind the dog is a subtle glow, on the left it is dark, the right is lighter. The dog’s facial expression is reserved. Full-Screen

Mountain Lady // Transfer onto Stonehenge Paper // 46.988 x 30 inches

Four repeated images of a naked silhouette separated into quadrants of the image, all are in different locations. The bodies are respectively either a red-brown, or orange. They are acrylic, and are painted with energetic marks. The people have one arm stuck ahead and down, with one leg raised and the other leg back to suggest dancing. The quadrants of the image are separated in half with two lines, separated by a small line with details. Over top the two lines are smaller lines which range from light yellows to a magenta. Behind the people are black horizontal lines with varying weight, and pastel colors outline these thicker lines as well as the silhouettes. The background also has stripes which are yellow over certain black stripes or blue. Click to view Four repeated images of a naked silhouette separated into quadrants of the image, all are in different locations. The bodies are respectively either a red-brown, or orange. They are acrylic, and are painted with energetic marks. The people have one arm stuck ahead and down, with one leg raised and the other leg back to suggest dancing. The quadrants of the image are separated in half with two lines, separated by a small line with details. Over top the two lines are smaller lines which range from light yellows to a magenta. Behind the people are black horizontal lines with varying weight, and pastel colors outline these thicker lines as well as the silhouettes. The background also has stripes which are yellow over certain black stripes or blue. Full-Screen

Nudists // Transfer onto Stonehenge Paper // 30 x 39.05 inches

The image is mainly reds, with green, yellow, red and purple dots interacting with shaded silhouettes. Repeated twice is an image of a dachshund with an imposing expression, and one is further left and up as well as bigger, and her head is interrupted by the end of the canvas, as she is cut off at her eyes. The other is further right and a bit lower. The graphite textured lines of the drawing of the dog are black. On the right of the image is a light brown cut by various magenta lines, these all fade into the previously mentioned dots. Over the light brown are magenta dots. The left of the image are black, bitmapped dots outlined with red, and the left dog has a small outline of magenta. Click to view The image is mainly reds, with green, yellow, red and purple dots interacting with shaded silhouettes. Repeated twice is an image of a dachshund with an imposing expression, and one is further left and up as well as bigger, and her head is interrupted by the end of the canvas, as she is cut off at her eyes. The other is further right and a bit lower. The graphite textured lines of the drawing of the dog are black. On the right of the image is a light brown cut by various magenta lines, these all fade into the previously mentioned dots. Over the light brown are magenta dots. The left of the image are black, bitmapped dots outlined with red, and the left dog has a small outline of magenta. Full-Screen

An Eldritch Woman // Transfer onto Stonehenge Paper // 51.9 x 30 inches

The background is a vortex of varying colors. Over top, there are darkened silhouettes of rectangular sticks, creating diagonal shapes. Outlining these sticks are an ultraviolet blue, or a milky white. There is various blurring depending on the distance from the sticks. Click to view The background is a vortex of varying colors. Over top, there are darkened silhouettes of rectangular sticks, creating diagonal shapes. Outlining these sticks are an ultraviolet blue, or a milky white. There is various blurring depending on the distance from the sticks. Full-Screen

The Infinity in Wood // Transfer onto Stonehenge Paper // 30 x 32.175 inches

A graphite, twice repeated dog is seen mid-movement. For the most part, they are green, but certain areas like their paws and head have areas where the pink below is highlighted. There is a repeated paper shape behind the dog, repeated four times, and highlighted by the same green as the dog where it ends. Where the dog does not overlap the repeated paper shape, it blends into the background and appears burnt into it. The image is also repeated again in the background, meaning four. The background of this is mainly the green of the dog, and the top has a pink matching the other pinks. Click to view A graphite, twice repeated dog is seen mid-movement. For the most part, they are green, but certain areas like their paws and head have areas where the pink below is highlighted. There is a repeated paper shape behind the dog, repeated four times, and highlighted by the same green as the dog where it ends. Where the dog does not overlap the repeated paper shape, it blends into the background and appears burnt into it. The image is also repeated again in the background, meaning four. The background of this is mainly the green of the dog, and the top has a pink matching the other pinks. Full-Screen

Movin’ // Transfer onto Stonehenge Paper // 41.625 x 30 inches

Sticks which vary in purples are repeated twice, rotated 180 degrees and at opposite sides of the composition. A dark red surrounds these sticks, and barely touches at the ends of the longer sticks. The background looks stoney, varying between a desaturated salmon and teal. Click to view Sticks which vary in purples are repeated twice, rotated 180 degrees and at opposite sides of the composition. A dark red surrounds these sticks, and barely touches at the ends of the longer sticks. The background looks stoney, varying between a desaturated salmon and teal. Full-Screen

Caveman’s Abstract Expression // Transfer onto Stonehenge Paper // 49.35 x 30 inches

A silhouette of a crimson person is being blasted back by their limbs which throws waves of color around the composition varying in reds. The background is mainly a dark emerald teal, and over top of the image is a very dark red smog. This smog becomes a less dark red over top the crimson of the person. Click to view A silhouette of a crimson person is being blasted back by their limbs which throws waves of color around the composition varying in reds. The background is mainly a dark emerald teal, and over top of the image is a very dark red smog. This smog becomes a less dark red over top the crimson of the person. Full-Screen

My Velocity // Transfer onto Stonehenge Paper // 53.338 x 30 inches