Naomi Hutchquist

Wheels of Life

2019 | BFA Thesis Exhibition

Wheels of Life

Skeleton with antlers riding a motorcycle. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — Hellbent | Woodcarving, ink | November 2018

Textured monotype print of an Alaskan train traveling through a surreal purple and green landscape. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — Trainscape in Purple and Green | Monotype Print | October 2018

Close up of an Alaskan train. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — B612 Coal Car No. 1 | Monotype Print | October 2018

Abstract, textured warm-toned monotype print featuring planet-like circles. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — Alignment | Monotype Print | October 2018

Travel poster for Hawaii with an "emergency alert" text message pop-up in the upper right. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — Island Getaway | Multi-block reduction woodcut, copper plate etching, silkscreen | February 2018

A tractor pulling a bed full of people enjoying the hayride. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — Hayride | Woodcut print | February 2019

A tractor pulling a bed full of people enjoying the hayride — Hayride Block | Woodcarving, ink | February 2019

Abstract landscape monotype. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — Sun Valley | Monotype Print | February 2017

Detail of the impressed sun on the abstract monoprint of Sun Valley. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — Sun Valley (Detail) | Monotype Print | February 2017

Bronze sculpture cast from a cuttlefish carving. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — Bronze Boom | Bronze Cuttlefish Casting | August 2018

Copper tree-like structure with a cloud at the top holding silver paper airplane earrings and a ring. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — Arrival and Departure | Copper and Silver | February 2018

Chain with USB drive. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — Cloud Drive | Silver, Copper, USB flash drive | March 2019

Sculpted bonsai tree with brass leaves. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — People Tree | Brass, Recycled Steel, found materials | 2015

Delicate green enamel pendant resembling topography on a silver chain. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — Aerial Perspective | Enamel and Reticulated Silver | December 2018

Cast silver motorcycle. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — Silver Stallion | Silver Lost Wax Casting | February 2019

Two silver rings with mesh bird adornments. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — (Left) Silver Gray Jay | Silver | February 2019. (Right) Silver Chickadee | Silver | March 2019

Found object sculpture of a tree with copper plate adornments. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — Matrix Tree | Copper plates, found materials | March 2019

Two small flip books that read "Flip Me" on the cover where the "E" in "Me" is backwards. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — Flip Me | Artist Book, Copper plate etchings, Watercolors | March 2019

A two-by-two series of aluminum photographic prints. Two are black and white tunnel images. The other two are long exposure portraits on a white background. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — (Upper Left) What is Yet Unknown | Aluminum Print | May 2016. (Lower Left) Roloi | Aluminum Print | June 2016. (Upper Right) Turbulence | Aluminum Print | June 2016. (Lower Right) Spyglass | Aluminum Print | May 2016

Large wearable sculpture of a white mouse head with sequin eyes, nose and ears, suspended from the gallery ceiling. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist — Who Are You? Who Am I? | Soft Sculpture, Copper frame, Synthetic Fabrics, Acrylic Paint, Digital Components | April 2019

Read the Thesis

Show Card (Front)

Show Card (Back)

Artist Statement

A wheel is a powerful symbol with innumerable meanings and applications. It might mean innovation, invention, technology, and forward momentum. It could mean transportation, or the chance of fortune. A cycle may refer to two wheels put one in front of the other, or to a series of regularly repeated events. The circle of life, a circle of friends, an electrical circuit. These connections guide our lives and inform the ways we interpret our environment. It is the wheels we choose to become a part of, that transport us from place to place, and how we choose to ride those cycles that shapes us into who we are.

Wheels of Life draws attention to digital and technological developments and how these tools help bring the world closer together. The works utilize bright colors and interesting textures, depicting weather cycles and motorcycles and all else in between. Motion, energy, and interactivity are all represented, with attention to the passage of time. The wide range of materials and processes used throughout the show reflect my passion for exploration and experimentation. Some of the best projects for me are the ones that combine multiple sensory stimuli, such as visuals, textural elements, and even auditory components. The sculptures displayed are meant to be touched, gently.

For me, communication has always come most easily in the form of visual representation, my aim being to reproduce my thoughts and experiences into images and objects that may inspire similar ideas and experiences in others. The works displayed invite interactivity, some requiring an injection of human energy to reach their full potential. By flipping through the artist books, gently turning the matrix tree, or wearing the mask head, the viewer contributes to the life and animation of these objects.

By creating a sense of the belonging of technology as part of the natural human experience, we can begin to shorten the gap between the technology that we use in our daily lives, and the works of art that we create as representative of our experiences.

Animations

Walk through Wheels of Life with Naomi Hutchquist

Gallery Images

Wheels of Life show title on the wall at Naomi Hutchquist's BFA thesis exhibition at Well Sreet Art Gallery in 2019. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist

"Who Are You? Who Am I?" sculptural piece viewed between two cloths at Naomi Hutchquist's BFA thesis exhibition at Well Sreet Art Gallery in 2019. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist

Hayride print and block hang on the wall at Naomi Hutchquist's BFA thesis exhibition at Well Sreet Art Gallery in 2019. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist.

Sun Valley and Aerial Perspective hang on the wall at Naomi Hutchquist's BFA thesis exhibition at Well Sreet Art Gallery in 2019. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist.

Two silver rings on display at Naomi Hutchquist's BFA thesis exhibition at Well Sreet Art Gallery in 2019. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist.

A print of an owl hangs on the wall at Naomi Hutchquist's BFA thesis exhibition at Well Sreet Art Gallery in 2019. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist.

Close up of Who Are You? Who Am I? at Naomi Hutchquist's BFA thesis exhibition at Well Sreet Art Gallery in 2019. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist.

Naomi poses wearing the giant white mouse mask that is the Who Are You? Who Am I? exhibit at Naomi Hutchquist's BFA thesis exhibition at Well Sreet Art Gallery in 2019. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist.

Naomi poses in the large white mouse mask that is the Who Are You? Who Am I? piece of the exhibit. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist

Naomi Hutchquist poses at the entrance to her 2019 BFA thesis exhibition, Wheels of Life, held at the Well Steet Art Company gallery. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist

Naomi talks with attendees of her gallery opening of her BFA thesis exhibition Wheels of Life. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist

A lit wire sculpture of a dragon at Naomi Hutchquist's BFA thesis exhibition Wheels of Life. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist

Kids play around the Who Are You? Who Am I? giant mouse head mask on display at Naomi Hutchquist's Naomi talks with attendees of her gallery opening of her BFA thesis exhibition Wheels of Life. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist

Attendees of Naomi Hutchquist's gallery opening for her BFA thesis exhibition Wheels of Life. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist

A sequined eye on the mouse mask "Who Are You? Who Am I?" piece. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist

A child standing with their head in the mouse mask of the Who Are You? Who Am I? piece in the exhibit. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist

A wall of monoprints featuring Alaska coal cars at Naomi Hutchquist's BFA exhibition, Wheels of Life. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist

A grid of two-by-two photographs printed on aluminum hanging on a wall. Two look like black and white images of tunnels or portals. The other two are long exposure motion blurred portraits. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist

A view down the wall of monoprints hung at Naomi Hutchquist's 2019 BFA thesis exhibition, Wheels of Life, held at the Well Street Art Company gallery. Image courtesy of Naomi Hutchquist

Naomi Hutchquist, courtesy of the artist

About the Artist

I grew up in the wonderful world of interior Alaska, and choose to continue to live here and use it's profound natural beauty as inspiration for my work. The unique balance of it's rural seclusion juxtaposed with human advancement and technology is something I find especially fascinating. I enjoy combining elements of nature and wildlife with ‘man-made objects and structures to represent the evolution and belonging of technology as an extension of the natural world.

I am a BFA graduate from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with concentrations in digital art, animation, printmaking, and metalsmithing.

Department of Art

Naomi Hutchquist

Wheels of Life

2019 | BFA Thesis Exhibition

Wheels of Life

Artist Statement

Animations

Walk through Wheels of Life with Naomi Hutchquist

Gallery Images

About the Artist

Questions?

CLA Contact Information

UAF College of Liberal Arts

CLA Departments & Programs