Aponte, Maru

This thesis document titled Palm Readings is informed by entangled topics that take up plein air painting, watercolour as a primary medium and the relationship of colour to the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. The specific questions that I address in the work are: How can plein air painting in the Caribbean function as a form of deep acknowledgement of place? What is the potential of watercolour as a contemporary artistic medium? How can colour represent the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico and its culture? Each chapter of this thesis addresses these questions and is anchored by different visual examples of my Thesis Project. My research questions are informed predominately by visual research, observation and thinking through doing. While I do integrate various citations in this text, I am inspired predominantly by the physicality of experiential learning. My research occurs in the action of painting and what comes up in the process.

In support of Maru Aponte's MFA thesis.

In support of Maru Aponte's MFA thesis.

In support of Maru Aponte's MFA thesis.

In support of Maru Aponte's MFA thesis.

In support of Maru Aponte's MFA thesis.

Responding to Climate Change Through Art and Design includes work that envisions an eco-utopia, expresses concern about the environment or documents climate change through creative practice. Drawings, prints, paintings, sculptures, multimedia works and installations by members of the ECU community including students, alumni, staff and faculty, explore the impact of climate change and highlight the urgent need for action. The effects of climate change are already being felt locally and around the world, with wildfire smoke, flooding, loss of biodiversity and the displacement of human and non-human populations. Through this exhibition, we showcase a variety of ways artists and designers are responding to the climate crisis. We hope to amplify direct action and movements that address climate change, from hosting community events, engaging with non-human life, protesting, mapping, using sustainable materials, and more. The exhibition was curated by Ana Diab, Michael Pollard, Kristy Waller and Hillary Webb, and includes work by Amory Abbott, Maru Aponte, Emilia Belliveu-Thompson, Andrea Bollen, Giulia Borba, Gwenyth Chao, Ella Emsheimer, Lori Goldberg, Danya Gorodetsky, Erick Jantzen, Vjeko Sager, Jade Sawotin, Emma Somers and Bobbi Kozinuk, Ayako Takagi, and Rita Wong. Ultimately, we hope that this exhibition will inspire visitors to take action to address climate change, and to join the growing movement for a more sustainable and equitable future.