Department of Art

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At Cornell, the study of art is an education in creating artistic objects, spaces, and experiences that reflect intellectual judgment, philosophical understanding, historical knowledge, and ethical principles that engage and influence the often bewildering complexity of contemporary life within and beyond the academy.

Students develop the skills specific to the practice of art in addition to and within the understanding that there are more general skills necessary to a critical apprehension of the collective condition. This distinction is made in order to clarify that the department does not view art itself merely as a profession, but as a way of understanding and communicating meaning through materials, situations, language, and images.

"As artist-educators, we assume a unique and critical role in connecting some of the most complex aspects of art practice to pedagogy," says Paul Ramírez Jonas, Professor and Chair of the Department of Art. " We do this understanding that the next generation of artists live in a world that is both fraught with compounded crises and full of opportunities for engagement, intervention, and for making lasting change."

Pauline Shongov, B.F.A. 2018, Pauline Shongov and Aaron Glasser '17, wax notes (2017), 16 mm film and digital projection, installation view.

Work by Pauline Shongov

Lauryn Smith, B.F.A. 2018, Jacob, oil on canvas.

Familial Waters

Emery Bergmann, B.F.A. 2021, Screenshot from the video My College Transition (2017).

My College Transition

Christina Welzer, B.F.A. 2019 , Raw (2017), pen drawing, digital alteration, inkjet print, 44" x 42".

Work by Christina Welzer

Jeeah Eom, B.F.A. 2019, It's Only a Procedure (2017), digital photograph on transparency.

Work by Jeeah Eom

So Yeon (Natalie) Kim, B.F.A. 2018, Cloud Eaters (2017), oil on canvas, 48" x 60".

Work by So Yeon (Natalie) Kim

Vivian Lin, B.F.A. 2020, Thy Eve (2019), yarn, stuffing, embroidery thread, 166" x 19".

Work by Vivian Lin

Lucy Plowe, B.F.A. 2020, Blessing's Bloom (2018), water-based monotype and handmade paper installation, approximately 48" x 84".

Work by Lucy Plowe

Matéa LeBeau, B.F.A. 2022, Video clip from My Climate Change Anxiety (2019).

My Climate Change Anxiety

Matéa LeBeau, B.F.A. 2022, Detail of Refrain on Quilted Paper (2021), Lithograph prints, thread, 7' x 8'.

What Remains

Cecilia Lu, B.F.A. 2022, Living Parts (2019), intaglio etching.

Quiet Horrors

Angelique Nagovskaya, B.F.A. 2022, Untitled ii (2020) red colored pencil, conte on paper, 48" x 60".

Work by Angelique Nagovskaya

Asha Bell, B.F.A. 2022, Make Orwell Fiction Again (2020), Digital Photograph.

Disrupting Quietude in Suburbia: Landscape Activism

Lane Letourneau, B.F.A. 2021, Tomat-uh-oh (2017), scanned images composited in Photoshop, 40" x 30".

Work by Lane Letourneau

Cagla Sokullu, B.F.A. 2020, Gezi (2018), digital painting print, 44" x 70".

Heavyheart

Sabrina Haertig, B.F.A. 2022, To Unravel the Universe (2019), Indigo dye, polyester-cotton fabric, cotton thread, wooden dowels, Styrofoam, 20' x 36".

To Unravel the Universe, Voyager 1 and 2

Sabrina Haertig Gonzalez, B.F.A. 2022, Installation view of Sabor a Carne (2021) steel, latex, silicone, cellulose, cabinet, beeswax, dimensions variable.

Work by Sabrina Haertig Gonzalez

Kevin Cruz, B.F.A. 2018, Cholo Painting #3 (2017), paint marker and acrylic paint on canvas, 41.5" x 56".

Work by Kevin Cruz

Aiza Ahmed, B.F.A. 2020, Khidmat Gar (Waiter) (2018), pencil on paper, 18" x 24".

Work by Aiza Ahmed

Jay Yang, B.F.A. 2018, Different Ways to Eat Lead: Dominus (2017), spray paint, 60" x 48".

Work by Jay Yang

Vaidehi Reddy, B.F.A. 2022, Maa Durga (2019), intaglio on Hanhemule paper, 15" x 11".

Work by Vaidehi Reddy

Maggie O'Keefe, B.F.A. 2019, 26 Broadway (2017), oil, 24" x 18".

Work by Maggie O'Keefe

Nadia Chernova, B.F.A. 2020, Apologies (2017), acrylic on canvas, 48" x 36".

Work by Nadia Chernova

William Jihrel Smith, B.F.A. 2019, Failed Blacks #1 (2016), etching and engraving on Rives BFK printmaking paper, 11" x 14".

Work by William Smith

William Demaria, B.F.A. 2020, Portraits and other Fractured Landscapes 3 (2017), oil paint on MDF board, 18" x 24".

Work by William Demaria

BFA

Applied + Engaged Art Practice

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A) curriculum combines the intensive studio culture of the Department of Art with open access to elective classes in all areas of Cornell University. Focusing on individualized direction with close faculty mentorship, studio practice, and forging trans-disciplinary relationships, the department prepares a close community of artists to engage the world as creative and intellectual leaders.

Read more about the B.F.A program

Apply Now

Pauline Shongov, B.F.A. 2018, Pauline Shongov and Aaron Glasser '17, wax notes (2017), 16 mm film and digital projection, installation view.

Work by Pauline Shongov

Lauryn Smith, B.F.A. 2018, Jacob, oil on canvas.

Familial Waters

Emery Bergmann, B.F.A. 2021, Screenshot from the video My College Transition (2017).

My College Transition

Christina Welzer, B.F.A. 2019 , Raw (2017), pen drawing, digital alteration, inkjet print, 44" x 42".

Work by Christina Welzer

Jeeah Eom, B.F.A. 2019, It's Only a Procedure (2017), digital photograph on transparency.

Work by Jeeah Eom

So Yeon (Natalie) Kim, B.F.A. 2018, Cloud Eaters (2017), oil on canvas, 48" x 60".

Work by So Yeon (Natalie) Kim

Vivian Lin, B.F.A. 2020, Thy Eve (2019), yarn, stuffing, embroidery thread, 166" x 19".

Work by Vivian Lin

Lucy Plowe, B.F.A. 2020, Blessing's Bloom (2018), water-based monotype and handmade paper installation, approximately 48" x 84".

Work by Lucy Plowe

Matéa LeBeau, B.F.A. 2022, Video clip from My Climate Change Anxiety (2019).

My Climate Change Anxiety

Matéa LeBeau, B.F.A. 2022, Detail of Refrain on Quilted Paper (2021), Lithograph prints, thread, 7' x 8'.

What Remains

Cecilia Lu, B.F.A. 2022, Living Parts (2019), intaglio etching.

Quiet Horrors

Angelique Nagovskaya, B.F.A. 2022, Untitled ii (2020) red colored pencil, conte on paper, 48" x 60".

Work by Angelique Nagovskaya

Asha Bell, B.F.A. 2022, Make Orwell Fiction Again (2020), Digital Photograph.

Disrupting Quietude in Suburbia: Landscape Activism

Lane Letourneau, B.F.A. 2021, Tomat-uh-oh (2017), scanned images composited in Photoshop, 40" x 30".

Work by Lane Letourneau

Cagla Sokullu, B.F.A. 2020, Gezi (2018), digital painting print, 44" x 70".

Heavyheart

Sabrina Haertig, B.F.A. 2022, To Unravel the Universe (2019), Indigo dye, polyester-cotton fabric, cotton thread, wooden dowels, Styrofoam, 20' x 36".

To Unravel the Universe, Voyager 1 and 2

Sabrina Haertig Gonzalez, B.F.A. 2022, Installation view of Sabor a Carne (2021) steel, latex, silicone, cellulose, cabinet, beeswax, dimensions variable.

Work by Sabrina Haertig Gonzalez

Kevin Cruz, B.F.A. 2018, Cholo Painting #3 (2017), paint marker and acrylic paint on canvas, 41.5" x 56".

Work by Kevin Cruz

Aiza Ahmed, B.F.A. 2020, Khidmat Gar (Waiter) (2018), pencil on paper, 18" x 24".

Work by Aiza Ahmed

Jay Yang, B.F.A. 2018, Different Ways to Eat Lead: Dominus (2017), spray paint, 60" x 48".

Work by Jay Yang

Vaidehi Reddy, B.F.A. 2022, Maa Durga (2019), intaglio on Hanhemule paper, 15" x 11".

Work by Vaidehi Reddy

Maggie O'Keefe, B.F.A. 2019, 26 Broadway (2017), oil, 24" x 18".

Work by Maggie O'Keefe

Nadia Chernova, B.F.A. 2020, Apologies (2017), acrylic on canvas, 48" x 36".

Work by Nadia Chernova

William Jihrel Smith, B.F.A. 2019, Failed Blacks #1 (2016), etching and engraving on Rives BFK printmaking paper, 11" x 14".

Work by William Smith

William Demaria, B.F.A. 2020, Portraits and other Fractured Landscapes 3 (2017), oil paint on MDF board, 18" x 24".

Work by William Demaria

MFA

New Imaginaries + Critical Practices

The two-year Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A) program is an intensive, intimate, and diverse community that supports interdisciplinary and medium-specific practices augmented by access to the breadth of fields of study across the university. The college provides private studios, teaching assistantships throughout, and a generous tuition remission.

Read more about the M.F.A program

Apply Now

Brice Peterson, M.F.A. 2019, Installation view of Six White Cadillacs including (from left to right) I Wonder (2019), leather, plywood, 25" x 53"; and Stand (2019), polymer clay, wood, enamel, 56" x 12" x 12".

Thesis Work by Brice Peterson: Six White Cadillacs

Richard Zimmerman, M.F.A. 2018, Untitled (2017), watercolor and gouache on paper, 15" x 11".

Work by Richard Zimmerman

Giselle Hobbs, M.F.A. 2023, Vital Fluid, exhibition view of Las venas de America (2022), oil on canvas, and Ñande Sy (2022) living moss. image / provided

Vital Fluid by Giselle Hobbs

Shelby Johnson, M.F.A. 2023, Detail of Onion Moon (2022), animated gif. gif / provided

Onion Moon by Shelby Johnson

Kirk Henriques, M.F.A. 2021, Discourse (2019), oil, acrylic, mixed media on wood, 24" x 36".

Work by Kirk Henriques

Christine McDonald, M.F.A. 2022, Steel Wool Overcoat (2021) Overview of left side Experimental gallery installation, 24' x 14'.

Steel Wool Overcoat

Group Project, Badminton Tournament, Grace Sachi Troxell, Untitled (Carrots) (2021), unfired no shrink clay, slipcast clay vegetables, carrots, tumeric, lemon, ginger, steel, 74" x 30" x 30".

Badminton Tournament

Christine McDonald, M.F.A. 2022, 591 / Flies / imaginary object 1 & 2 (2021) burnished powdered pigments; dimensions variable; abaca, 590 houseflies (musca domestica), flying table; tetrahedron with fly; Single Slant-blank headstone, a Stage), gypsum 150lbs

Work by Christine McDonald

Group Project, Or High Water, Installation view of Or High Water, including work by (from left to right) Ege Okal, Patrick Brennan, and Brice Peterson. photo / Shark Senesac

Or High Water

Yasmeen Abedifard, M.F.A. 2020, Triangular Desire 1 (2018), acrylic on canvas board, 8" x 10".

Triangular Desire

Layla Zubi, M.F.A. 2022, Detail of They Cannot Represent Themselves; They Must Be Represented (2021), OSB (oriented strand board), blue spray paint on manila and polypropylene rope, books (Writings of William Shakespeare, Webster Dictionary, and Bible).

They Cannot Represent Themselves; They Must Be Represented

Diana Clarke, M.F.A. 2017, Day Boxes, Version Two (2011), book board, linen, paper, and additional mixed media, installation detail, individual boxes measure 2" x 2" x 2".

Work by Diana Clarke

Sophia Starling, M.F.A. 2019, Exposed (Cadmium Orange) (2015), oil on linen, 43" x 67" x 4".

Work by Sophia Starling

Jerry Lim, M.F.A. 2017, Untitled, from the series Kingdom (2011–present), 4" x 5" film negative, sizes variable.

Work by Jerry Lim

Madeleine Cichy, M.F.A. 2017, Building Blocks For The Rest Of Your Life (2016), watercolor on paper, 15" x 22".

Work by Madeleine Cichy

Group Project, How to Build an Ocean, Alexis White, In The Courtyard (2019), Multimedia collage, 48" x 36".

How to Build an Ocean

Gabriel Ramos, M.F.A. 2018, Fragmentos 2 (2017), paper and vinyl, dimensions variable.

Work by Gabriel Ramos

Yasmeen Abedifard, M.F.A. 2020, Installation view of رسیده / Ripe (2019), silkscreen, digital excerpts from an eight-page comic, 11" x 15" each, from the group exhibition Or High Water. photo / Shark Senesac

Ripe

Kate Huffman, M.F.A. 2018, Georgia On My Mind (2015), watercolor on paper, 4' x 4'.

Work by Kate Huffman

Na Chainkua Reindorf, M.F.A. 2017, A Few of Our Favorite Things (2016), acrylic yarn and wire screen, 42" x 56".

Weft

Giselle Hobbs, M.F.A. 2023, Moss Temporality (2021), moss, ferns, aquatic plants, wood, dimensions variable.

Moss Temporality by Giselle Hobbs

Ciara Stack, M.F.A. 2020, Splinter Gum (2019), acrylic paint and pen on paper, 12" x 9".

Work by Ciara Stack

Na Chainkua Reindorf, M.F.A. 2017, Millennium Development Goals: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger, digital photograph, 32" x 24".

Work by Na Chainkua Reindorf

Alex Jahani, M.F.A. 2018, Artifact (2016), acrylic and spray paint on wood panel, 14" x 11".

Work by Alex Jahani

Libby Rosa, M.F.A. 2019, Anklets (2019), acrylic and airbrush on canvas, 48" x 72".

Thesis Work by Libby Rosa: Sky Woman

Stevie Klaark, M.F.A. 2017, Across the nation I found myself racing (2016), three emergency blankets and parallel projection of digital film recording, dimensions variable, from the solo exhibition Faith in Strangers.

Work by Stevie Klaark

Sophia Starling, M.F.A. 2019, Sophia Starling (M.F.A. '19) working on her piece Continuous Painting in Rand Hall. William Staffeld / AAP

Continuous Painting

Kaleb Hunkele, M.F.A. 2018, Night Light (2017).

Work by Kaleb Hunkele

Brice Peterson, M.F.A. 2019, Terminal Connection (2018), custom printed fleece and vinyl pillow in enamel-coated steel cart, 23" x 48" x 34".

Work by Brice Peterson

Sophia Starling, M.F.A. 2019, Friday’s Studio Obstacle (Black/White) (2019), rubber on plaster, 22" x 8" x 7"; and Friday’s Studio Obstacle (Yellow/White) (2019), rubber on plaster, 23" x 8" x 7".

Thesis Work by Sophia Starling: Studio Obstacles