Joel Terry is a sculptor with an interest with American values as they pertain to varied perceptions or definitions of “The American Dream.” Utilizing consumer goods, Terry activates a visual dialogue that pits material against value, asking the viewer to evaluate their relationships to objects and priorities. These materials and subjects include processed foods and food packaging, cheap interior “McMansion” materials, and various plastics associated with swimming pool culture, juxtaposed with fine art contexts. Terry disassembles, reassembles, distorts and wraps various forms in these exploited materials.

Referencing interior and exterior spaces, the objects we choose to surround ourselves with extend our preconceived biases as they upgrade/downgrade perceived statuses and facades. We place importance in aesthetics for molding our identities, surrendering reality to maintain appearances, inevitably exposing our insecurities.

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Be sure to join us on Friday, May 12th from 6-9pm at the MFA Graduate Studios to enjoy Joel‘s thesis work, along with the other 2017 graduates!

MFA Thesis Exhibition and Reception

For more information: visit Joel Terry online.