The intersection—perhaps overlap—between making art and being a mother are explored in a new exhibit at Fresno Pacific University.
“Allyson Darakjian, Monster, Mirror, (M)other” is in Ewert Art Gallery in the Warkentine Culture and Arts Center on the main FPU campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno. Admission to the exhibit, which continues through March 24, is free. The March 4 opening reception was part of ArtHop, sponsored by the Fresno Arts Council.
“Monster, Mirror (M)other” features artworks and performance artifacts which conceptually blend the artist’s experiences of making art and motherhood. Darakjian explores the psychological and metaphorical symbolism of “monsters” in literature, mythology and spirituality to create thought-provoking works, sometimes in collaboration with the artist’s children.
Darakjian has a B.A. in studio art from Westmont College and an M.A. in Theology and Culture with an emphasis in visual art from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. She received her MFA in interdisciplinary arts from the University of Nevada Reno. Darakjian has served as a curatorial assistant and a resident artist to the Cascadia Residency through Fuller Seminary Northwest as well as a creative coach and resident artist for the Inhabit Arts Collaborative in Fresno. She is the recipient of the Richard Cook Award. More at About — Allyson A. Darakjian (allysondarakjian.com)