Date of Graduation

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts in Art (MFA)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Art

Advisor/Mentor

Thompson, Jody

Committee Member

Turner, Aaron R.

Second Committee Member

Efstathiou, Kes

Third Committee Member

Adams, Carris S.

Keywords

Art; Contemporary; Intuition; Oil Paint; Painting; Tiger

Abstract

Laughing Tiger is the title of my thesis exhibition/paper, as well as the middle name I was gifted with. The relationship I have with this name has changed throughout my life. At one point, this name was more a reminder of being different, but now it is a personal symbol I take pride in. My name is Michael Laughing Tiger Shum, and I make inventive autobiographical paintings about the relationships we invest in, whether it’s with others, objects, rituals, environments, and so on. I have broken down my painting practice into three main themes, which are actions, experiences, and thoughts. Additionally, Intuition, response, and inventing are pivotal to my studio practice. For the viewer, I am considering the experience of paintings in the context of the painted object and analog art experiences. Lastly, I provide my thoughts on relationships/dynamics, the “reality of painting”, and being serious about being silly.

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