MA IN STUDIO ART
THESIS EXHIBTION
ROSE KRAJNIK

Through my work, I study and celebrate the interconnectedness of all things, blurring the lines between human and non-human, self and other. This journey is deeply personal and universal, reflecting the cycles of life, death and rebirth that shape our existence. 

Nature serves as both my muse and medium, offering endless inspiration and guidance. Along with traditional materials like plaster, clay, and paper mâché, I incorporate natural elements—bones, feathers, stones, shells, flowers, and sticks inviting their spirit to weave, guide, and move alongside my own. Using my own face and body to make molds and armatures, the work takes shape as hybridized creatures in the form of masks that can be worn and embodied, as well as human-sized sculptures. These forms appear to be either decomposing into organic material or being born from the compost. In giving form to the work, I imbue it with agency, recognizing that art is not static but an ongoing dance between creator and creation. 

My firsthand experiences as a mother have deeply influenced my work, adding personal layers of meaning to the themes of life, death, and birth. The profound transformation of becoming a mother has grounded me in a new felt sense of belonging and connection to my own body, the earth, and my ancestors.  

I marvel at the fascinating connections between the human body and the vibrant reflection of life that envelops us. Through exploring the intricate web between humans and non-humans, I acknowledge a powerful truth: we are not isolated units but integral parts of a dynamic whole, each influencing and being influenced by the other. Our bodies, often perceived as singular and superior entities, are actually bustling ecosystems teeming with a mosaic of microbial life, where non-human cells such as bacteria, fungi and viruses outnumber human cells by a staggering ratio of 3:1. The underlying questions in my work revolve around how we as individuals and collectively are shaped and guided by the inner and outer ecologies that engage us. 

Exploring these questions through the visual language of art has enabled within myself a more intimate investigation of what it means to have a body in relationship with nature and the cosmos.