Post 4: Creating Meaning

 “I think about material as memory… fabric holds history.”

This is a quote that resonated with me because LeSeur speaks about materials as if they have emotional and historical significance. She’s not just selecting fabric because it’s pretty; she’s selecting it because it has to do with memory. This makes her art seem complex and rich. It made me realize how important it is to think about the significance of even simple materials if we want to tell a story through them.

“I’m interested in how abstraction can hold emotion and history at the same time.”

I appreciate how she links abstraction with storytelling. Sometimes abstract art can seem like it’s just random, but she says it can also be full of meaning. This is something that I do in my own art sometimes, when I’m not necessarily trying to tell a specific story but the emotions and colors still have significance.

What inspired LeSeur? Compare what motivates you to create meaning in your work.

LeSeur is inspired by history, ancestry, memory, and the experiences of Black women. She uses her work to explore identity and generational knowledge. Her inspiration feels deeply rooted in research and personal reflection.

For me, I’m inspired more by observation and feeling in the moment. I don’t usually start with a strong political or historical theme although recently I've been intrigued to do so because of the current state of the world. I’m drawn to still life, design, and whatever visually interests me at the time. But like LeSeur, I realize that meaning can still come through intention like how I arrange objects, what I choose to highlight, or how I use space and color. Even if it’s subtle, it still reflects how I see the world.

How does your choice of material, process, aesthetic, and content reinforce your message?

LeSeur’s use of fabric, layering, and stitching reinforces ideas of memory, connection, and history. The physical softness and texture of fabric connects to care and ancestry, which strengthens her message. In my work, when I use graphic design, I think about clean layouts, typography, and balance. That reinforces clarity and communication. When I work with hands on mediums like drawing or ceramics, the imperfections make the work feel more personal and human. The aesthetic choice whether, minimal or detailed, helps shape how the viewer feels. Even if I’m not working with one big theme, my material choices still communicate mood, personality, and perspective.