Radical Dissonance and Haunted Gestures: Rupture and Reverence in the Artwork of Aja Mujinga Sherrard

Author

Aja M. Sherrard, University of MontanaFollow

Year of Award

2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Degree Name

Art

Other Degree Name/Area of Focus

Conceptual Art

Department or School/College

School of Art

Committee Chair

MaryAnn Bonjorni

Committee Co-chair

Dr. Hipólito Rafael Chacón

Commitee Members

Brad Allen, Dr. Lois Monk Welch

Keywords

Conceptual Art, Race, Greif, Fine Art, Aja Mujinga Sherrard, Contemporary Art

Subject Categories

Art Practice | Ceramic Arts | Contemporary Art | Ethnic Studies | Fiber, Textile, and Weaving Arts | Fine Arts | Interactive Arts | Interdisciplinary Arts and Media | Photography | Theory and Criticism | Women's Studies

Abstract

This paper serves to establish the studio practice of Aja Mujinga Sherrard within the framework of conceptual art, touching on the flexible use of media, the subversive or political nature of the work, and its relationship to movements and disciplines such as Feminism and Poststructuralism.

The section entitled “Race and Incoherence” addresses the practice of Radical Dissonance—or the creation of ruptures within commonly accepted concepts and social constructions—through the Costuming Kinship Series, 13≠12≠12.2 (Genetics Project), and Body Double. The section entitled ”Art, Loss, and the Unspeakable” traces an emotional shift in her work and speaks directly to the pieces comprising the thesis exhibition: , is repair, Including the projects: A Successful Artwork; (Our) Baby Blanket; Names; Lettres Pour Yaya Mujinga, as read by her grandchild; Me, Your Daughter: Him, Your Miller; and the title piece: , is repair.

Recommended Citation

Sherrard, Aja Mujinga. "Radical Dissonance and Haunted Gestures: Rupture and Reverence in the Artwork of Aja Mujinga Sherrard." MFA Thesis, University of Montana, 2017.