Insider/Outsider: The Anatomy of Identity

Marco Landolfi, MSB '25
Acrylic paint and laser-cut wood

This piece reflects the personal significance of the phrase "No act is neutral." It symbolizes how I was raised to approach life with intention, ensuring kindness and thoughtfulness in all actions. The cutout of Ohio embodies my roots and newfound pride in my Midwestern heritage, which I took for granted growing up. Since moving to the East Coast, I've come to cherish Midwest hospitality and the values it instilled in me. Through its layered textures and meaningful elements, this artwork represents the integration of my upbringing and evolving identity.

Bilquisu Abdullah, CAS '25
Paper Collage + Acrylic 

This piece serves as an homage to rejecting traps of perfection that society tells us we must fulfill. The text aids in a commentary that centers the unsung realities of woman and human hood that makes us distinguishable from other elements of nature. The quote "I'd rather be a cyborg than a goddess" is a quote from Donna Haraway's A Cyborg Manifesto (1985) which is a foundational text in conversations of cyber and eco feminism.

Bilquisu Abdullah, CAS '25
Paper Collage + Acrylic

Inspired by academic scholarship that explores the term “freak,” this piece is a collective commentary on the value difference has in a normative society. The quote featured at the bottom reads: “Freak of nature was instead a freak of culture” which was written in Freakery: Cultural Spectacles of the Extraordinary Body (1996) by Rosemarie Garland Thomson. This work reflects a lived reality of the world through the lens of “freak” embodiment. Viewing this piece invokes immersion into a “circus” of culture that is deemed out of the norm in dominant society yet just as if not more lively. 

Valeria Canovi, SFS '25
Collage, paint, stencils, hand-drawing. 

This artwork, inspired by Mikhail Bakhtin’s Toward a Philosophy of the Act and the phrase “No alibi for being,” celebrates the freedom and authenticity of selfhood. It reflects the idea that we need no excuse to be who we are—unapologetically, in every moment, regardless of circumstances or others’ expectations. The piece embodies the courage to embrace our true selves, affirming that our existence requires no justification. It is a visual declaration of individuality, authenticity, and the unwavering commitment to living as we are, without compromise.

Valeria Canovi, SFS '25
Collage, hand-drawing. 

This artwork reflects the dynamic nature of identity, inspired by the idea that “The self must be thought of as a project.” It explores the concept of human beings as ever-changing, evolving entities—never fixed, but constantly growing and transforming. The piece emphasizes the power of self-reinvention and the ongoing process of becoming who we aspire to be. Through its fluid forms and layered textures, it portrays the journey of self-creation, inviting viewers to embrace change and view their lives as a canvas for endless growth and transformation. 
 

Sophia Swan, CAS '25
Print Roller, Collage, Watercolor

This combination of watercolor, collage, and print rolling work together to tell a story about the way we change as people in college. I chose to split the quote by Bakhtin across my series of posters to connect the two together while simultaneously presenting different parts of life. I added a picture of Healey, and the Hoya cutout to invite all Georgetown students to understand they are also on this journey.

Sophia Swan, CAS '25
Print Roller, Collage, Watercolor

This poster is more about becoming comfortable with oneself and finding out who you truly are based on experiences with the world. The quotes are intentionally placed at the top of the first poster and at the bottom of the second poster to symbolize the highs and lows of life. My goal was for it to serve as a reminder that everything happens for a reason and to inspire others to persevere through any hardships.

Katya Zobel de Ayala, CAS '25
Magazine and Suminagashi cut-outs collage

The quote I selected for this piece is from Ugliness: A Cultural History by Gretchen E. Henderson. In her book, Henderson introduces the Japanese term “Wabi Sabi”, which looks at the beauty of imperfection. I was particularly struck by this ideology because society traditionally deems imperfections as “ugly”. However, in this definition, ugliness and beauty are forced to co-exist.

Katya Zobel de Ayala, CAS '25
Magazine and newspaper cut-outs collage

The quote I selected for this piece is from Ugliness: A Cultural History by Gretchen E. Henderson. In her book, Henderson explains that throughout history women, in order to achieve standards of “beauty”, would risk using harmful chemicals that could potentially make them “ugly” in the long term. This trend remains true in the present and is only one example of the complex dichotomy between ugliness and beauty in society.

Alison Lefcourt, CAS '25
Painting, cut out, stencil, rollers, collage

This quote from the book Ugliness: A Cultural History by Gretchen E. Henderson exposes the fluidity of concepts such as “ugly” and “beautiful.” I wanted to create a poster that appears messy and chaotic with colors, patterns, shapes, and techniques that do not necessarily complement one another. Others may deem the poster “ugly,” but that arbitrary perception exemplifies Henderson’s point: ugliness is a social construct that tells you more about the observer than the observed. 

Alison Lefcourt, CAS '25
Painting, cut out, stencil, rollers, hot glue

This quote by Mikhail Bakhtin highlights the idea that people, places, and experiences are critical in forming one’s own identity. For my poster, I decided to showcase physical elements of the world to emphasize the influence that external forces have on oneself: gold and silver pins in clusters to represent stars; blue paint swirls depicting oceans; and a cutout of the stencil quote in the shape of the circle to represent Earth. 
 

Quinn Zebrowski, MSB '25
Collage

"The fire did refine me, but not without a few scalding burns." - Amy Kenny
"The Fire" captures chaos, growth, and the inevitable pain that comes with healing. The textured, layered collage—with mismatched images, bold patterns, and disjointed elements— reflects how messy and unpredictable transformation can be. Whether it’s the fierce patterns, toasted bread, or scattered imagery, each piece feels raw and untamed, echoing the
turbulence of moving through challenges. The intentional fragmentation shows that healing doesn’t follow a straight line. It’s hectic, layered, and deeply personal. The fiery hues and dynamic composition demand that viewers confront discomfort and intensity, much like the refining process. Revealing the scalding burns left behind by healing reveals vulnerability. But the collage also shows resilience—each image contributes to the whole, like the scars that shape who we are. This piece asks viewers to see fire as both destruction and transformation, where pain and growth go hand in hand. Healing leaves scars, but those scars tell our story.

Quinn Zebrowski, MSB '25
Minimalism

"Life can be consciously comprehended only as an ongoing event." - M.M. Bakhtin

"The Water" reflects the endless cycle of life—flowing, renewing, and continuous. The hand-painted strokes mimic a river’s movement, suggesting calm yet constant motion. Water never stays still. It travels, transforms, and returns in an eternal cycle, much like human existence evolves through life. The layering of blues and soft textures captures the depth of water and life. Every ripple tells a story, blending into the next. The simplicity of the design draws attention to life’s rhythm and the idea that it’s always moving forward. Bakhtin’s quote grounds the piece, reminding us that life is never fixed or stagnant. The letters seem to dance on the canvas, reflecting the shaky, unpredictable unfolding of our lives. Life flows moment by moment, just as water finds its path. This piece invites reflection on embracing the cycle for growth and renewal. Water teaches us to flow, adapt, and persist, showing the beauty in life’s ongoing journey.

Jojo Flanagan
Laser Cutting and Paint

This poster project started with paint colors that I love and that could resemble the sky or a rainbow. The quote by Amy Kenny resonates deeply with my identity as a triplet. Often, I’m seen as part of a set rather than as an individual. Its message reminds me to embrace my uniqueness, and strive to be fully me- a person with distinct goals and values.

Jojo Flanagan
Collage, Stencil, Laser cut, Paint

This poster represents my layered identity with mixed media designs. I included three fabric cutouts that symbolize a piece of me and my triplet siblings- distinct yet one. The newspaper cut outs represent the roles and voices I have as an individual. Together, these elements reflect the challenge of being part of a unit while asserting my individuality. It inspires me to embrace the balance between belonging and being fully, authentically myself.

Abby Burns
Collaging, print rolling, letter stamping

My poster incorporates a bold statement from Amy Kenny’s book layered with vibrant, overlapping colors and textures. My process involved experimenting with mixed media, including paint and stamping, to create different textures and elements. The choice of colors—yellow, orange, and blue—adds a sense of energy and emotion, while the text conveys vulnerability and the universal desire for authenticity. The collage elements suggest a narrative about being a normal human and not having to over compensate by being brave. The intent of layering paint over the collage reveals the process of being human and all the layers that come with humanity and identity.

Abby Burns
Collaging, print rolling, marker letters

My poster incorporates a quote about humanity from the book Ugliness by Gretchen Henderson. My poster is a reminder of the richness and complexity of the human condition. It can keep us grounded, empathetic, and creative, ensuring that we remain deeply connected to our shared vulnerabilities and strengths. In this way, ugliness doesn't just "keep us human"—it may also make us more humane. I cut out words and the ones with a positive connotation I painted in yellow and the others in red.

Willy Conzelman 
Collage / Laser Cutter

This piece explores the tension between determinism and human freedom, inspired by Bakhtin's reflection on a life that is "essentially not living." In the form of a collage with help from the laser cutter, I combined miscellaneous materials like jean and other fabrics to create a layered background that mirrors the complexities of the quote. I chose this quote because it represents my desire for freedom and autonomy, two things integral to my identity.

Myles Slayton
Painting and collage

In my second poster I have the Amy Kenny quote: “I would like to be a full human and not just a
metaphor. I would like to be ME.
” I really wanted to leave this one up to interpretation. My point here is that I haven't even truly found myself. I have these blue and green crossings representing my varying senses of self portrayed through my favorite colors, but I have left
commas throughout the painting leaving more of the story to be told.

Myles Slayton
Collage

In my first poster with the quote “I don’t want to be brave I just want to be human,” I really wanted to express how I am feeling currently in my life. I tried to show an image of what my midterm paper represented - me escaping from the outward pressure of how I should live my life. The red colored rain and upside down currency represent the backward societal pressure
as I try to escape upwards.

Marco Landolfi
Watercolor and acrylic paint

This piece includes the quote, "I am actual and irreplaceable and therefore must actualize my uniqueness," reflecting my journey of embracing individuality and honoring the qualities that make me who I am. The fluidity of watercolor represents the ever-changing nature of personal growth, while the bold strokes of acrylic paint symbolize the intentional steps I’ve taken to actualize my uniqueness. By integrating this quote into the artwork, I aim to celebrate self-discovery and the belief that our identity, though unfinalizable, is deeply valuable and irreplaceable.

Willy Conzelman
Colored Pencils / Shading

Using colored pencils in shades that resonate with my own identity, I explore how color can symbolize the interconnectedness and collaboration essential to personal and collective growth. The vibrant tones are a visual representation of the energy and harmony that emerge when we embrace sociability and work together to achieve goals, something I look forward to committing my life to.