Identity Exhibition Showcases Student’s Creativity

Artwork titled "Springtime Blues, You Don't Listen to Music Anymore" done by co-curator of the show, Lindsey Centracchio '23. Credit:Kyle Esoian '25

Steel Plant is home to a plethora of creativity from students and professional artists alike, with the most recent spotlight shining on the Identity Exhibition in the Steel Plant Gallery, showcasing the incredible talent of Marist’s senior class. 

The exhibition, entitled “IDENTITY CAP’D,” was co-curated by Lindsey Centracchio ‘23 and Michaela Ellison-Davidson ‘23 and was the final project of seniors in the Art and Digital Media Department at Marist.

In all of the art pieces, the artists used a certain medium of art to reflect their feelings and what they were trying to portray, specifically centering around the main theme of identity.

Lindsey Centracchio ‘23, in her joint piece including two separate names, titled “Springtime Blues” and “You Don’t Listen to Music Anymore,” tried to find a balance between the excitement of art and culture in a beautiful environment with the weight of loneliness, as she reflected on her time living in Florence, Italy.

As Centracchio explained it, “The concept of duality in emotions refers to the coexistence of two seemingly opposing feelings within oneself.”

The piece was created by producing monotype prints, using the experience she gained with oil portraiture.

“Every print explores the aspects of my personal journey, ranging from the difficulties of adjusting to change, to the tranquility of establishing a connection within myself,” said Centracchio ‘23.

This is just one of the perspectives behind the abundance of idiosyncratic art collections held within this exhibition, which featured digital media works, paintings and sculptures, as well as printmaking, photography and animations.

For Claudia Molina ‘23, a digital media major concentrating in animation and digital arts, it's all about one thing: the feeling of “home.” 

Her work, titled “Mi Hogar, My Home, Casa Mia,” explored how each place she has lived – Quito, Chicago, Marist College and Florence – is significant and special to her in their own way, while all still feeling like home.

Her pieces are, in her words, “Paintings rendered in realistic detail using digital painting techniques.” The works showed a photo of each of these places with a “tear” in the middle and the inside of the tear reveals a cartoonish background using these thick outlines, and vibrant, bold colors.

“This series celebrates the diverse and complex nature of personal identity and belonging. It invites the viewer to reflect on their own sense of ‘home’ and what it means to them,” Molina ‘23 said.

Digitial Media major Claudia Molina's artwork titled "Mi Hogar, My Home, Casa Mia." Credit: Kyle Esoian '25

These are only two of the pieces in this exhibition, many of which include complex and thoughtful inspirations behind them.

Every piece of art in the gallery is reflective of the artist’s experiences not only as an artist but also as a person, all captured within a visual or animated piece of art. 

The exhibition ran from March 9 - March 25, displaying various pieces of artwork from others in the community, ranging in design, color and theme. While the event itself has concluded, students still have a chance to view these pieces when the artists formally present their work at a special reception on Tuesday, April 18 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., which will run through Sunday, April 23.