Selina Roman
Selina Roman
artist statement:
I am interested in ideas of perception and power and explore these themes through fashion/garments. In my series, The Burqa Project, I take a loaded, iconic object and upend its literal meaning and challenge the viewer to contemplate the idea that there is power in anonymity and that an unreturned gaze is just as powerful, if not more so, than one that is exchanged. Using something with which I have no personal history allowed me to explore the burqa’s other attributes, such as protection and anonymity. Here the burqa is transformed using water and movement to create abstract shapes. In turn, the burqa is taken out of context and takes on a sculptural presence.
what do you love about the MFA program at the University of South Florida?
The faculty at USF encourage the graduate students to step out of their comfort zones end explore other genres, concepts and artists. This has been integral to my development as a contemporary visual artist. Exploring sound, video and performance art has made me approach photography in a way that's much more meaningful. The program also gives its grad students wonderful access to visiting artists through studio visits, lectures and classes.
anticipated graduation date: Spring 2013
