“Menagerie” considers the viewpoints of 10 individuals from a variety of backgrounds in order to gain a better understanding and deeper sense of the human experience. Through a diverse collection of objects that symbolically and more literally represent key moments in these individuals’ lives, Rebecca Sweigart '23 was able to investigate both overlapping milestones as well as a variety of unique experiences that covered more aspects of the human condition than anticipated. 

Through an assortment of 30 canvassed panels consisting of; 10 eyes representing the participating individuals along with two representative paintings per person, Rebecca investigated the complexities of marriage, death, and religion as well as occupations, family, and interpersonal relationships.

While each participant’s paintings represent their own life experiences, the collection as a whole represents how those experiences fit into a broader sense of being; how each isolated moment can take on a completely different meaning in the context of each other.

This exhibition is part of an independent study and studio art honors project.