Senior art exhibit seeks balance between identity and the natural world

In Tegan Meador’s Bachelor of Fine Arts exhibition, “Metamorphosis," he explores dichotomy and balance through the creation of metaphors between human experiences and natural processes.

Through contemporary sculpture and traditional craft, the Central Washington University senior art major expresses a value of both individuality and community in his work. 

An opening reception for “Metamorphosis” will be held from 5-7 p.m. Monday, May 12, in Gallery 231, at Randall Hall. The exhibit will run through Friday, May 16, and the gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Meador sees his art is a way to balance his connection to identity and the natural world. He finds reflections of emotion in ecosystems and expresses them through representation or abstraction.

“My methods reflect conflicting ideas,” he said. “The process can be calculated or spontaneous, gentle or aggressive, organic or constructed. Knitting is soft, passive, and associated with femininity. Woodworking is rigid, active, and associated with masculinity. Instead of contradictory, these qualities are complementary, and I express them through the creation of metaphors within ecosystems or creatures of the world.”

Originally from Ocean Shores, Meador became influenced by the way nature was intertwined with the built environment. He learned the skill of knitting from his mother, and he now uses that art form to create mixed media sculptural work.

Meador finds his inspiration in historical art movements and applies it to work in wood design, ceramics, watercolor, and fiber arts.

See more of Tegan’s work and process on his Instagram page.