Final Project

-The actual idea I got for my final project was to from my first project.

The World Through Our Eyes

Materials: Large drawing paper, Pencil, Fine-tip markers, Colored markers, Acrylic paint, Paintbrushes, Eraser, Ruler, Paper towels, Water

For my final project, I created a large mind map that explores traditional clothing from different countries around the world. In this piece, I draw the outline of each country and place examples of their traditional clothing inside, such as the Indian saree, Chinese qipao, Scottish kilt, and many others. I also include handwritten notes around the drawings to explain how these clothes are seen and judged depending on culture, gender, and personal perspective. I wanted this work to be colorful, detailed, and easy to read, so viewers can clearly see both the beauty of the clothing and the ideas behind it. To me, this mind map works like a visual conversation it invites people to look closely, connect ideas, and reflect on how clothing carries meaning beyond just fashion.

The main idea behind this project is that clothing is not just something we wear every day, but something deeply connected to culture, identity, and history. I was especially interested in how the concept of the gaze influences the way we judge clothing and the people who wear it. For example, women’s clothing is often sexualized or criticized, while men’s clothing is more likely to be seen as strong or powerful. By placing different styles of clothing from many cultures side by side, I wanted to challenge these judgments and show that every culture deserves to be seen with respect rather than stereotypes. More generally, my work asks viewers to think about how they look at others and how quick judgments can affect how cultures and identities are understood.

I am drawn to this topic because fashion is part of everyday life, yet people rarely stop to think about its deeper meaning. I also love learning about different countries and their traditions, which made this project exciting and personal for me. In earlier projects, like my first mind map about who I am and my Artist as Archivist collage made from childhood photos, I realized that I am really interested in memory, identity, and the way we see ourselves and others. This final project allowed me to connect those personal interests with something I learned in class especially the idea of gaze and visual culture. It felt like a natural next step in my creative journey this semester.

My process is an important part of this work, which is why detail and process shots matter so much. I combined drawing, color, and text to tell a layered story. I used bright markers and watercolors to make each country stand out, while also adding handwritten notes to explain how perception and judgment work. Balancing visuals and writing is something I really enjoy because it allows me to communicate both emotionally and intellectually. Showing close-up shots of patterns, clothing details, and notes helps viewers understand how much thought went into each section. Process photos also reveal how the piece slowly came together and how each choice was intentional.

The most challenging part of this project was organizing everything on one page while keeping it readable and visually balanced. Fitting multiple countries, clothing styles, and notes into one composition took a lot of planning. I also struggled with deciding how much information to include without overwhelming the viewer. Looking back, I know I could improve the project by adding more small details, such as clothing patterns or notes about cultural history. I also realized that I originally wanted to include each country’s flag but forgot to do so, which is something I would fix if I revisited the piece. Even so, I think the most successful part of the work is the combination of drawing and writing. The colors, details, and ideas come together to clearly communicate both the beauty of traditional clothing and the importance of understanding the gaze. This project reflects who I am as an artist curious, thoughtful, and interested in how identity is seen and understood.