Paradigm Shift: the Fall 2020 Senior Show

Being an art student was very difficult this year. Behind every beautiful work of art presented on this website is an individual story that has been affected by the many complexities and complications that has made 2020 such a page turner. Worldwide disease, skyrocketing unemployment rates and impending environmental catastrophe, to name a few, have plagued the minds of these students as they create work under such unstable conditions. 

As a student myself, my own situation was up in the air for quite a bit and the conversion to an online platform is something I was not excited for and am still getting used to. Many of my classes included students making work in between homes with limited resources and spaces to create. Many of my classmates, having to move back home, also had to take up the responsibilities that come with being home, such as taking care of younger siblings, fulfilling household duties and in some cases working to help out their families. 

Despite being in such a whirlwind of varying emotions, amazing work was created, and the opportunity to develop community began to blossom. This year's Fall 2020 Senior Show is divided categorically into 4 shows that highlight important themes in the students' artwork. "In a Pandemic", "Powerful Bodies", "With Care, With Love" and "Products of Our Time" are shows that I’ve curated that I believe are in conversation with each other on many different levels.

I am so thrilled and excited to have been a part of making this project possible. To be allowed to take the reins on creating and curating the website portion of the Senior show is something I never imagined I’d be able to do when I started Berkeley 4 years ago. I hope you enjoy the website and appreciate the works presented here!

Thank you,

Jaz Bryant (BA'21)