purcc 2012 - University of the Pacific

Senior Art & Design Show – Artist Statements
Culture Upbringing of Self
Carolina Aguirre
Faculty Mentor: Marie Lee
The project Culture Upbringing of Self is a representation of my life struggles, which I have illustrated
through skeletal imagery. As a portrayal of my own life, I have created this package with skeletal imagery
to represent both its physical and psychological meaning.
For this project, the idea came from of my fascination for skeletal art. There is this pure analogical
connection between the skeleton and intrapersonal significance. Physically, the skeleton has such a core
value and strength. I am drawn to its visual imagery because the physical topology of bones can be
interlocked and arranged to make a meaningful shape with personal significance to me. Through my life
struggles, I have kept the core strength of my identity and developed my values.
As a graphic designer, I have done digital designs for promotional pieces, worked with typography, made
event posters, and so on. From this work, I’ve developed a passion for packaging. There is a different
visual approach to designing a package. Starting with what you want the outcome to be, you work in
reverse, breaking every side of the package, ending with a flat surface. The designing stage itself is art,
because it’s so complex and creative.
Since a package can be formed into anything, I have chosen to have that be my instrument for this project,
to symbolize the idea that a skeleton can transform into any shape, be anything, but never lose its strength
and value.
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