Beasts Of the Bygone
Faculty Sponsor
Sarah Jantzi
Discipline(s)
Art
Presentation Type
Artistic Presentation
Symposium Date
Spring 4-28-2022
Abstract
Mythology is a uniquely human trait. Humans across the planet, separated by time and space, all have an innate desire to explain the world around them. We weave tales explaining the origins of the world around us, or the exploits of heroes and villains. Humans share these stories with one another, and pass them down from generation to generation. My project “Beasts of the Bygone” seeks to continue this human tradition, through the monsters that we create. This takes form as a series of digital illustrations alongside informational plaques. These paintings are of mythological, religious, and legendary creatures selected from a range of diverse cultures across the planet. From the Japanese religion of Shintō, to the Native American tribes of the Great Lakes, there’s many stories and myths that are fascinating and deserve to be shared. My artistic interpretation on these creatures also seeks to be respectful and accurate to their origins. Myths also serve as an important pillar of culture, and I do not wish to misrepresent them. I want to share the love of learning about these myths and cultures to the viewer with my artwork, and for the project to be both engaging and educational. Looking through the wide range of myths and monsters humans create, we can see how diverse the human experience is, yet simultaneously how much we share.
Recommended Citation
Davis, Jacob, "Beasts Of the Bygone" (2022). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 1101.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/1101
For Artistic Presentations
Need space for four 16 in by 20 inch frames
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Jacob Davis is a Valparaiso University student who is currently completing his Studio Art Major. He's always been inspired by reading myths, and learning about foreign cultures. He's used this passion as inspiration to paint and draw fantastical creatures and characters, and is returning to those roots for his Senior project. After college, Jacob is hoping to get a career in illustration.