He recently presented his senior thesis project, “Forgetfulness in Color,” in which the artist displays “my blurred memory of my childhood with themes of past, present, and future.” The work combines pastels with sewn fabric garments. Even in such a high-stakes situation, Aries experienced strong support from his peers and mentors, which he says helped him to be vulnerable and expressive in his work.
Aries connected with so many professors during his time that he finds it hard to choose which faculty played the biggest role in his success, but two mentors stand out. Associate Professor of Painting Michelle Ross helped introduce Aries to new approaches and techniques. “I would have found it hard if I had to do it alone,” Aries says.
In Assistant Professor Georgina Ruff, Aries found a strong thesis mentor. “Having her in my corner while I make the most important art of my college career is such an honor,” Aries says of Ruff. “She has pushed my boundaries in such a thoughtful and growth-oriented way that I will always be thankful for.
Aries has learned from his mentors and peers alike during his time at PNCA. “I would say that without PNCA I wouldn’t know the artistic skills that I have now,” Aries says.
As his four years of school ends, Aries is looking to find the same sense of community he found at PNCA. “One of my main goals is to find an environment where I am able to collaborate with other artists in a way that is beneficial to my practice and as well as my growth as a person.”
