2024 Senior Exhibition Artists

Mya Ferreira

Concentration: Art + Design: Sculpture | Jewelry/Metals

About Mya Ferreira

Mya Ferreira is a multi-media artist from Swansea, Massachusetts, who will receive her BFA in Sculpture and Jewelry/Metals in 2024. Beginning as a method of personalized gift-giving, she has been making various types of art for as long as she can remember. Mya’s sculptures use color and soft materials to give the viewer a cozy feeling when looking at and sitting inside of her work. Inspired by the struggles of a college student, she wants her sculptures to bring comfort to those who are overwhelmed by their lives.

Statement

My work explores the topic of coping mechanisms in the form of three egg-shaped enclosures. The sculptures are designed to "combat stress and other negative emotions," much like the methods they represent. In this series, I have decided to highlight a few specific techniques – self-reflection, sleeping, and eating – as I find myself gravitating to these methods the most. With this work, I hope to comfort the viewer by creating a space for them to separate themselves from their busy lives and focus on their well-being.

All formal elements of these interactive sculptures support themes of comfort and safety. The egg shape was chosen because it acts both as a shelter and a symbol for the protection of life. Meanwhile, materials like fabric and foam provide cushion, turning a hard steel frame into a soft and inviting structure. Calming, friendly colors are used to set an overall tone, while a pattern maintains a sense of order and cohesion throughout each piece. By bringing all these elements together, I intend to provide an environment of physical and mental rest that everyone is invited to experience.