Senior solo exhibit focuses on mental health, empathy

  College of Arts & Sciences   Arts+Culture   Health+Behavior  

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Michelle Hwang, a senior Bachelor of Fine Arts major is capping her undergraduate work with a solo exhibit that delves into the difficult topic of mental health.

<p> "Can of Emotions" screenprint by Michelle Hwang in her solo exhibit “How Are You Feelin’ Today" at Brandstater Gallery. </p>

"Can of Emotions" screenprint by Michelle Hwang in her solo exhibit “How Are You Feelin’ Today" at Brandstater Gallery.

<p> "The Vending Machine of the Human Mind," an installation work by Michelle Hwang. </p>

"The Vending Machine of the Human Mind," an installation work by Michelle Hwang.

Titled “How Are You Feelin’ Today,” the show at Brandstater Gallery includes installation and printed art and runs from May 22 – May 26. An artist’s reception will be held Sunday, May 22 at 6 p.m. at the gallery. Hwang’s exhibit encourages viewers to consider and enter into “an uncomfortable but much-needed space to think, talk, and learn about mental health,” she notes in her artist’s statement. “We can all show more empathy and listen to those who are hurt inside.

"This exhibition focuses on eight different mental states and experiences that most of us have felt or encountered at some point in our lives. It bridges the gap between those who may not understand and those who need to be understood.”

“We can all show more empathy and listen to those who are hurt inside." -- Michelle Hwang, BFA graduating senior and artist

Michelle Hwang, surrounded by screenprints from her show“How Are You Feelin’ Today" which opens at Brandstater Gallery on May 22.

In an interview Hwang expanded on the reasons for the show’s theme stating she hoped it would “give comfort to those who are hurting as well as [educate] people more on this subject. Mental health is a sensitive topic and a very personal one to me too, and I want to share my journey of combining art and mental health with everyone,” she said.

Gallery director and Art+Design Professor Tim Musso noted, “Art+Design senior Michelle Hwang brings us an incredible new exhibition. Using her design thinking/making skills she tackles the topic of mental health using interactive sculptural installations and a suite of dynamic PSA posters.”

"The professors care a lot for their students and all the art majors felt like a family." -- Michelle Hwang

Hwang is a Riverside native who hopes to work in a creative studio in the future. She chose to attend La Sierra after participating in a tour of the Art+Design department prior to her freshman year. “[I] quickly fell in love with the place,” she said “The professors care a lot for their students and all the art majors felt like a family. There was a sense of community within the department, and witnessing it all made me want to come to La Sierra University to experience it myself.”

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