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ALYSSA BUMP
Life & Arts Editor
Caitlin Sweet’s solo art exhibition shines a light on the harsh reality of societal pressure.
“Portraits of Society: Mental Effects” features 15 acrylic paintings that have been created over the past three years.
In her artist statement, Sweet said, “This group of paintings is a visual glimpse into the effects society has had on my mental health throughout the last three years.”
Sweet took art from different series of hers and created a cohesive exhibit by grouping some images together while letting other pieces stand alone.
“When certain paintings are grouped together, it allows the viewer to ask themselves how they are related and what stories they tell,” she said.
“The spaces in between the paintings gives the viewer’s eye a break before moving to the next image.”
The paintings in this exhibit vary from realistic depictions of the human body to more abstract styles.
The images portray the feeling of being uncomfortably vulnerable.
Sweet said, “These paintings represent the angry silence, the sexual objectification and the mistreatment I have experienced in life.”
One of the paintings, titled “Silenced” is an abstract piece that shows a hand covering someone’s mouth.
Contrary to the name, this painting is loudly unsettling and chilling.
According to Sweet, “Numb” is her favorite painting because, “it was the first painting that really started to represent how I was feeling at that time.”
Sweet hopes to bring awareness to mental health issues that society causes.
She even included statistics in her artist statement, which reveal the staggering amount of people that struggle with mental health.
“It’s not just me it affects, it’s a lot of people everywhere,” said Sweet.
Members of the community have visited the art exhibition, and the show has forced them to acknowledge how much these issues affect people.
When referring to the stigma behind mental health, Sweet said, “A lot of people don’t talk about it or they feel like it’s a thing you shouldn’t talk about.”
This exhibit has the ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
The paintings tell the stories; the viewer just has to pay attention.
Sweet is a senior drawing and painting major, and will be graduating after this semester.
The exhibition is located on the second floor of Rockefeller Arts Center in the Emmitt Christian Gallery.
Originally, Sweet’s work was supposed to be displayed during the senior showcase at the Cathy and Jesse Marion Art Gallery after Thanksgiving break.
However, due to COVID-19, no students are allowed to return to campus after Thanksgiving.
Sweet’s work will be displayed in the Emmitt Christian Gallery until Sept. 21, and is open for viewing from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. on weekdays.
Her work will also be shown in the Darwin R. Baker Library when it reopens in October.
In 2021, Sweet’s work will be exhibited in the Saratoga Springs Public Library from May 25 to June 27, as well as in the Uncommon Grounds Coffee Shop in Albany from June 28 to Aug. 2.
As of right now, all of the art in Sweet’s collection is still for sale. For any inquiries, please contact the artist directly at csweet.arts@gmail.com.
You can also find more information on her website at https://caitlinsweet.carbonmade.com and her Instagram @cait.sweet.