Arianna Forbes during her presentation.
The annual University Day at UMPI always provides students and members of the community an opportunity to learn about fascinating topics. This year’s University Day was no different. From learning about service dogs to Greek mythology, there was no shortage of interesting presentations. Of all the presentations that took place, few were more thought-provoking than Arianna Forbes’ art presentation, “The V Word.”
Students, faculty and the community piled into the Pullen Art Center to learn more about the young artist’s inspirations and the background behind her artwork. Hyrum Benson, an UMPI professor, opened the presentation before introducing Forbes. “Arianna is one of our brightest artists here at UMPI,” Benson said. “She continually pushes the boundary in her artwork and focuses on topics that many artists choose not to.”
Forbes, an UMPI senior, began her presentation by explaining why she chooses to focus on the female form, particularly the female genitals. “I focus on the female form, mainly because I know my form, but also I find women art…they’ve inspired art throughout time,” Forbes said. “Also, being a feminist, I find equal rights also includes rights to one’s body.”
The presentation then turned to the artists who influence Forbes in her own art. Betty Thompkins and Marilyn Minter were just two of the artists that Forbes drew inspiration from. “One of the reasons why I love their work so much is because they were initially regarded as ‘pornographic,’ but have now become regarded as some of the most powerful Feminist artists,” Forbes said.
Forbes also discussed some of the media in which she conveys her art, such as enamel on metal. “I paint reported commentary onto metal under which is an enlarged image of a vulva, symbolizing a woman’s strength. When I have completed the painting, layers and layers of assaultive sentences shroud the vulva,” Forbes said.
Despite this being her last year at UMPI, Forbes plans on pushing the envelope and forcing her viewers to question why society oppresses women, especially the female form. “My future goals would be continuing making art that means something to me and what I find beautiful and important. I would love to be a part of an activist movement such as Free the Nipple or The Guerrilla Girls, but we will see where the future takes me,” Forbes said.
