Lee Montoya

Project Unit #1: Personal Exoskeleton

Class of: 2026

Major: Fine Arts BFA

Medium: Wire, Spray Paint

Faculty: Aviva Maya Shulem

Prompt: "In this project, students are tasked with developing a body part cover inspired by exoskeletons' anatomy, and it explores forms of protecting ourselves from their world. How is this shell a metaphor for our state of mind? Our emotions? Our physical being?"

I made a headpiece inspired by the 20s. I like the vintage headpiece style as I feel it is a pinnacle for the turning point in women’s fashion and experimentation of the time. When I think of human exoskeletons, I think about the way we present ourselves on the outside through clothing and accessories, so I wanted to create something more extravagant to show the use of our exoskeletons as making a statement. I also wanted to incorporate a piece of myself so I want to revolve the theme around the moon and stars.