Georgia Southern University Digital Commons@Georgia Southern Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies, Jack N. Averitt College of Spring 2012 The Last Word Kristin Lawhon Kyzer Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd Recommended Citation Kyzer, Kristin Lawhon, "The Last Word" (2012). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 162. https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/162 This thesis (open access) is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies, Jack N. Averitt College of at Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE LAST WORD by KRISTIN LAWHON KYZER (Under the Direction of Patricia Wasson Carter) ABSTRACT The last word, as defined by Webster’s dictionary, describes the final remark in a verbal exchange, the power of a final decision, a definitive statement or treatment, and the most advanced, up-to-date, or fashionable exemplar of its kind. I venture to explore and utilize the meaning of this well-known idiom through the creation of visual artworks that comprise my Master of Fine Art thesis research. Within this body of visual artworks, titled The Last Word, I explore the evolution and realization of self-image through the examination of disparate and reciprocal relationships. Utilizing personal symbolic imagery, provocative text and mixed media processes, I present my last word about my own self-image. This written support paper chronicles the evolution of The Last Word, correlating the creative process with historical and theoretical scholarship. INDEX WORDS: Self-image, Iconography, Inner Experience, Symbolism, Stream of Consciousness, Text in Art 1 THE LAST WORD by KRISTIN LAWHON KYZER Bachelor of Education, Art, Georgia Southern University, 2001 Masters of Education, Art, Georgia Southern University, 2006 A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Georgia Southern University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF FINE ART STATESBORO, GEORGIA 2012 2 © 2012 KRISTIN LAWHON KYZER All Rights Reserved 3 THE LAST WORD by KRISTIN LAWHON KYZER Major Professor: Patricia Wasson Carter Committee: Patricia Wasson Carter Julie McGuire Marc Mitchell Electronic Version Approved: May 2012 4 DEDICATION This is dedicated to my supportive family. I am blessed and thankful for such loving and steadfast people in my life. Through this process I have realized much about self and family. I know that without each of you, I would not be who I am today. Thank you for being unwavering in your support for me. I love you all. 5 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thank you to the members of my committee for the countless hours of preparation necessary to help me produce work of which I am proud. I am grateful to all of my professors for their guidance and expectations. I am forever grateful for your constant requisite of development and maturation in my work, work ethic and understanding of art. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION.....................................................................................................................6 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...................................................................................................7 LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................9 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................12 PURPOSE OF THESIS BODY OF WORK...............................................................12 PURPOSE OF THESIS SUPPORT PAPAER ...........................................................12 AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ORIGINS AS UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE ...................13 PSYCHOLOGY OF TEXT, IMAGE, ICON, ICONOGRAPHY ..............................16 MIXED MEDIA AS PROCESS AND HISTORICAL, CONTEMPORARY ART FORM ................................................................................................................19 CHAPTER 2 EVOLUTION OF THE LAST WORD: THE BEGINNING, FINDING MY WAY ..........................................................................................................................22 CONTENT..................................................................................................................22 USE OF TEXT, IMAGE, ICON, ICONOGRAHY....................................................23 METHODOLOGY OF PROCESS AND MATERIALS ...........................................24 HISTORICAL REFERENCES...................................................................................25 ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG ...................................................................................25 CY TWOMBLY .........................................................................................................27 REFLECTION OF RESEARCH ................................................................................34 EVOLUTION OF THE LAST WORD: MIDWAY, MAKING PROGRESS ............34 CONTENT..................................................................................................................34 7 USE OF TEXT, IMAGE, ICON, ICONOGRAPHY..................................................35 METHODOLOGY OF PROCESS AND MATERIALS ...........................................36 HISTORICAL REFERENCES...................................................................................41 FRIDA KAHLO..........................................................................................................41 LOUISE BOURGEOIS ..............................................................................................43 REFLECTION OF RESEARCH ................................................................................45 EVOLUTION OF THE LAST WORD: THE END, REALIZATION........................46 CONTENT..................................................................................................................46 USE OF TEXT, IMAGE, ICON, ICONOGRAPHY..................................................47 METHODOLOGY OF PROCESS AND MATERIALS ...........................................47 HISTORICAL REFERENCES...................................................................................49 JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT.....................................................................................49 BARBARA KRUGER................................................................................................53 GLEN LIGON ............................................................................................................55 TRACY EMIN............................................................................................................55 ELLEN GALLAGHER .............................................................................................56 REFLECTION OF RESEARCH ................................................................................56 CHAPTER 3 THE LAST WORD, COMPLETE BODY OF WORK...............................................57 CHAPTER 4 CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................73 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................75 BIBLIOGRAPHY..............................................................................................................77 8 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1: Mark Bradford, Ridin Dirty, 2006..................................................................20 Figure 2.1: Robert Rauchenberg, Soundings, 1968 .........................................................25 Figure 2.2: Robert Rauchenberg, Revolver, 1967............................................................26 Figure 2.3: Cy Twombly, Quattro Stagioni Part III: Autunno, 1993-94 ........................27 Figure 2.4: Cy Twombly, Proteus, 1984 .........................................................................28 Figure 2.5: Cy Twombly, Nimphidia, 1981.....................................................................29 Figure 2.6: Cy Twombly, Bassano in Teverino, 1976.....................................................30 Figure 2.7: Cy Twombly, Petals of Fire, 1989................................................................31 Figure 2.8: Cy Twombly, Hero and Leandro, 1985........................................................32 Figure 2.9: Cy Twombly, Petals of Fire, 1989................................................................32 Figure 2.10: Kristin Kyzer, Untitled (Shower Curtain), 2011..........................................35 Figure 2.11: Kristin Kyzer, Untitled, 2011.......................................................................36 Figure 2.12: Kristin Kyzer, Untitled, 2011.......................................................................37 Figure 2.13: Frida Kahlo, What the Water Gave Me, 1938 ..............................................41 Figure 2.14: Louise Bourgeois, Red Room (Parents), 1994.............................................43 Figure 2.15: Jean Michel-Basquiat, Charles the First, 1982............................................51 Figure 2.16: Jean Michel-Basqiat, Self-Portrait, 1982.....................................................52 Figure 2.17: Barbara Kruger, Untitled, 1981....................................................................53 Figure 2.18: Glen Ligon, Figure #20, 2009......................................................................54