Date of Award
Spring 5-31-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Department
Illustration
First Advisor
Gail Cohee
Second Advisor
Susan Doyle
Third Advisor
Jamie Uretsky
Abstract
My artistic journey has been guided by a childhood fascination with mythology and how our ancestors interpreted the natural world. As my practice evolved toward digital media, I began questioning what "nature" truly means—is it an objective reality or a construct filtered through cultural lenses and personal experience?
The transition from traditional to digital tools—from physical brushes to Apple Pencil and Wacom stylus—removed much of the spontaneous dialogue with materials that once mirrored nature's own randomness. While I initially celebrated my ability to simulate traditional techniques digitally, I now recognize this transformation demands a fundamental reconsideration of how artists connect with nature in the digital age—the connection may no longer be within the material.
This thesis examines how my understanding of nature has evolved through my work, reflecting on how inherited cultural narratives and social constructs have unconsciously shaped my artistic decisions. Rather than seeking definitive answers, I document a process of questioning and redefining my artistic language—creating a living dialogue between myself, nature, and the cultural forces that frame our perception of the world.
Recommended Citation
Xu, Rong, "Unnatural Nature: A Visual Artist’s Reflection on Myth, Medium, and Feminine Being" (2025). Masters Theses. 1466.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/1466
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