Hosted by Moncrief Cancer Institutein partnership with

Texas Christian University School of Art

Ashley Stecenko, Curator

HOUSEWorks on paper by Ashley Stecenko

September 10, 2020 to January 29, 2021

Moncrief Cancer Institute is not open to the public

for exhibition viewing due to COVID-19 restrictions;

however, the exhibition will be available for virtual

viewing at

https://linktr.ee/moncriefartgallery.

Moncrief Cancer Institute is invested in the idea that

the presence of art can positively impact the patient

experience. Throughout this brochure, you’ll find a few

gallery activities, including drawing prompts. If you wish

to share your original drawing with the artist and/or the

public, please submit them at

https://linktr.ee/moncriefartgallery.

HOUSEWorks on paper by Ashley Stecenko

The themes in my work revolve around my personal experience with family. Much of my work addresses my experience with displacement, vulnerability, and mental illness. House consists of paintings created from photographs that I took last summer. During a long stay in my suburban home in Indiana, I documented my time with family and the spaces we inhabited. Having moved out of this home a year prior, I noticed within these photographs time that had passed and relationships that had changed since living there. By transferring, redacting, and rearranging different parts of these images together, I hope to better understand my own family dynamic within them. “House” is a metaphor for the homes we live in both physically and mentally.

My process involves transferring photographs using a harsh solvent called acetone. I print these photographs from an industrial laser-jet printer. With acetone, I paint on the back of these prints to transfer the toner from the image to my paper. I work on a synthetic paper called Yupo, which is made from polypropylene plastic and comes in a translucent and opaque grade. The translucent Yupo paper allows me to work on both sides of the painting simultaneously. Often times, it isn’t until about halfway through working on a piece that I decide which is the front and which is the back. Working in this process, I am able to remove these photographs from their original context in order to construct a psychological, surreal space.

Next to you is the largest piece in the show and touches on my relationship with my brother. Due to a common lack of figures in my work, I will often times use objects as stand-ins for people. Next to you is about being in the same room with someone I love. The chair in this piece, and in several other pieces in the show, is a stand-in for my brother. The flower that stands next to him is a representation of myself. This large piece is intended to roll off onto the floor about three feet and is meant to feel like the viewer can step into this surreal world.

Many of the smaller pieces in this show deal with my relation to home. Some of these pieces, like Fish out of water, are imaginative spaces where fish can swim outside of the confines of their bowl and space has no boundaries. Other pieces, like Potted Chair, portray symbols of growth using objects I am familiar with. All of the work in this show is about disconnect and displacement but most importantly, love and home.

ashleystecenko.com1

2

Draw: Think of an object that you identify with or an object that personifies yourself, or maybe its an object that personifies someone else. Why do you identify with that object? Whatever it is, draw that object on paper. Consider it a portrait.

Next to you2019Solvent-based photo transfers on Yupo paper11 x 5 feet

3

Secret boy2019Solvent-based photo transfers on translucent Yupo paper25 x 38 inches

Dreaming of better days2019Solvent-based photo transfers on translucent Yupo paper25 x 38 inches

4

Let the sunshine in, let the room breathe2019Solvent-based photo transfers on translucent Yupo paper25 x 38 inches

Potted Chair2020Solvent-based photo transfers and pencil on translucent Yupo paper14 x 11 inches

5

Draw: From memory, draw your childhood living room. What do you remember most about that space? Maybe it’s the pattern on the couch, the color of the walls, or a particular time of day? Maybe that space was always in use, or maybe it wasn’t? Maybe what comes to mind is the smell of dinner lingering from the kitchen, or the dog barking out the window. Whatever comes to mind, draw it.

Calm2020Solvent-based photo transfers and pencil on translucent Yupo paper25 x 38 inches

6

Rebirth2020Solvent-based photo transfers and pencil on translucent Yupo paper14 x 11 inches

Journal: Write about a family member you haven’t talked to or seen in a while. When was the last time you did see this person? What were you doing? What were you talking about? What were you feeling? What do you feel now?

Evil Eye2020Solvent-based photo transfers and pencil on translucent Yupo paper10 x 14 inches

7

Green Space2020Solvent-based photo transfers on translucent Yupo paper10 x 14 inches

Fish out of water2020Solvent-based photo transfers and pencil on translucent Yupo paper10 x 14 inches

8

Frank2020Solvent-based photo transfers and pencil on translucent Yupo paper10 x 14 inches

Draw: Using a piece of translucent Yupo paper (available upon request), draw an imaginative space. Is this space set outdoors? Indoors? Maybe this space has elements of your home, like furniture, pets, or people. Maybe this imaginative space is abstract and not representational at all. Work on both sides of the paper.

9

Pollinating Water Bottles2020Solvent-based photo transfers and pencil on translucent Yupo paper14 x 11 inches

Mindful Meditation: Take a moment to check in with yourself. Is your mind traveling? Ground yourself by wiggling your toes. Focus on your breath. You are here now.

10

Moncrief Cancer Institute Art Gallery

Cover: Rebirth2020Solvent-based photo transfers and pencil on translucent Yupo paper14 x 11 inches