“Weather the Storm” by Morgan McKinney B.F.A, was Thomas More’s first-ever installation exhibition. An exhibition that follows a story that many can relate to, McKinney has constructed an interactive narrative of the complexities of mental illness. Inspired on her journey by watching her friends and family battle with depression. McKinney reveals that everything throughout the exhibit has a purpose from the color palette to the exposed nails that she used to hang the artwork.
Can you describe the experience that you have created?
The experience is inspired by depression, more so the observation that I have had of friends and family that suffer from depression and various other mental illnesses. So you begin this journey with the door, I used a baby blue to show softness, I used the door to illustrate “To be closed off”, however at the same time how people try very hard to present this “picture-perfect image”. Past the door, you will find yourself in the torn and paint-splattered plastic, the plastic is to show individual tragedies or traumas that a person has experienced hung up my exposed nails to show those who have held you up during troubling times. You then from there make your way throughout the plastics, peeling back each piece until you reach the metal sculpture. The metal sculpture represents the soul, and I have placed lights within the metal sculpture to show the light within the person. The hope for a better day, the hope that one day the storm will end. Then as you make your way back through the plastic, you see behind the door, the splitting wood, and the paint splatters. This ends the journey and you finally see the person scratching and fighting inside this perfect appearance they project into this world.
What effects did Covid-19 have on this exhibit?
Covid-19 really put this exhibit in a standstill, I was not able to see my art for 4 months. I was very anxious coming back after the 4 months because I did not know if I was still going to like the art I have been working on. To my surprise Covid-19 was a blessing in disguise, I was able to construct the story thoroughly and I had time in my mind to finalize my work and purpose.
Nonetheless, McKinney’s installation is a beautiful journey, that was thoughtfully constructed and has a timeless narrative. Please check out the experience of video and gallery photos.
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