The use of eyes and objects to express a personal theory of art

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Eugene O'Neal (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Walter Barker

Abstract: I have witnessed man's failure to set limitations to his existence. For example, he fails to see obstacles, that might harm him. It also seems that he has no strong need to focus his attention on this problem or seek a solution. He looks around in the world, full of life, motion, and ceaseless progress, and feels in himself all the vigor and spirit to keep pace with it. Yet he does not foresee in any of the present conditions, how he is destroying himself. This thesis of pastel drawings depicts the results his reality has created, as it appears to me. Suicide, despair, and isolation are three of many of the results I see. Inspiration to create my art comes from the comprehension of this tragedy and my experiences of the unawareness of self-destruction. My goal is to show its substance, color, and form. Through plastic movement, form and color, reveal its truth and disclose its inspiring secret. Having always been fascinated by the iris and pupil of the eye, because of their mysteries and superstitious powers, I chose to combine them with single objects. These objects carry with them personalized symbolic meaning. For example, each tragedy was characterized by some important attribute which has personal meaning to me. The visual comprehension of the objects I represented is not connected with the understanding of the surrounding space. For me, each object was confined to its own space and generated its own spacial conditions. My intention was to create the illusion of a deep space. This was my way of representing reality.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 1973

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