This week’s featured artist is Olivia Narciso, a Senior Graphic Design major.
Q: Basic Information?A: Senior, Graphic Design Major, career path: potential design firm/design-end of comic books, favorite medium: Black pen.
Q: How would you describe your style? (as described by fellow artists)A: Olivia has a more graphic and stark style to her artwork, but is clever in pulling from humorous places. Her style is also defined as being more concise.
Q: In what ways has the UConn Art Program helped you develop your own personal style?A: Professors treat students more like colleagues, and are always looking to boost students up.
Q: Do you think this (the UConn Art Program) is something all students should be exposed to at least once in their college careers? Why?A: Something creative, yes. UConn is a “school of engineers,” who can see things very black and white, so it would benefit them. The art department also needs a lot more exposure, and reaching out to other parts of campus would definitely help.
Q: In what ways does your artwork express “you” that other ways—verbal, written, or other communications—can’t?A: It’s a way to connect with other people, especially college students since we’re all facing similar things. When stuck in the same department, it’s easy to feel confined, but art can reach out to a bunch of people and it will always be a different experience.
Q: What do you love most about art? Whether creating or observing.A: Artists are always building on things that have been done before, so we get to learn through our peers (Olivia made a reference to a book called Steal Like an Artist, one of the books required for a Fundamentals class in the Art Department). Creating allows you to get to know your own style as well as the style of your peers, which is an experience you can’t get anywhere else besides the Art Department.
Q: Is there anything you would change about the Art Department? (This may be anything from promoting more of the UConn Art Department to other students, or adding a café).A: Overall exposure. More exposure to the rest of campus and other students.
Q: Are there certain artist stereotypes you feel are present at UConn as well as nationwide or universally that you wish you could disprove? Are there positive ones?A: Yik Yak breeds a lot of artist stereotypes…People say that “art students color all day,” when no one knows the value of art. We make places—like stores, cafés—more interesting; what would UConn be without the Husky Logo?
Q: Do you have a favorite artist? Why this one?A: Van Gogh—as cliché as it sounds—because his work is so emotional. Now that I have his backstory, everything he does is so inspiring and amazing. The modern art movement “destroyed the hierarchy,” and he is one of those artists that allowed everyone to make art freely.
Q: What can the UConn community do to get involved with the arts or support our local artists?A: Installations around campus, UConn is so “blue and white.”
Check out Olivia’s website and find her on Instagram!