Summer Zhao
PORTRAIT AS PLACE
Class of: 2028
Major: Communication Design BFA
Medium: Mixed Media Collage: fabric, ribbon, balloons
Faculty: Diana Shpungin
Prompt: To create your own personal texture encyclopedia
In this project, I depict my bedroom, which is the place that brings me the most comfort. As an international student, New York represents a fresh start for me, my bedroom remains my most cherished space. It holds many of my memories, including the blanket my grandmother made and the toys I brought from my hometown. The textures I incorporated into this work primarily come from fabric stores in NYC. I fondly remember spending time with my grandma, sewing various fabrics and creating outfits for my dolls, which is why I chose fabric shops as my source for textures. A unique aspect of this artwork is how I represent my pillowcase. I placed my grandmother’s blanket, which features a dot pattern, on top of my pillow and used a hole puncher to add texture. I believe this technique creates a lovely textile effect with overlapping layers, giving it a playful, child-like quality.