Exhibitions

UNREAL EXPECTATION

Space 204 (Vanderbilt University) / 1204 25th Ave. S., E. Bronson Ingram Studio Arts Center November 1, 2018 - December 6, 2018

Althea Murphy-Price

I am inspired by the social implication of beauty as it relates to female identity, women and culture. My studio practice involves working in both two and three dimensions using, print media, sculpture and installation. In all three working methods, I question beauty’s cultural influence which often takes form through imitation, deception, or discomfort.

The work investigates how identity is informed and influenced through the context of a deceptively subversive, beauty culture. Real and false, decoration, and imitation are addressed and questioned giving thought to societal influences that pursued our beliefs and dictate how we perceive ourselves. Recent work is inspired by the popular hashtag #blackgirlmagic intended to encourage and uplift young girls. I question the implications this may have for younger generations to achieve unrealistic expectation. My response to these images is colorful, playful, and expressive of a child-like fascination.

- Althea Murphy-Price