Bronwyn Haws

Juror’s Student Award
Utah Valley University
Faculty advisor: Gareth Fry

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Headcase
2 x 3 feet

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This year, Bronwyn Haws went through the life-changing experience of being diagnosed with ADHD.

“Going undiagnosed has really impacted my life and how I see things, but now knowing why I act the way I act and why I think the way I think has really opened my eyes to the possibilities of what I can do. I have learned that once I put my mind up to something, I can do anything. That being said I wanted to push the boundaries of what I thought I could do into something that I would work to accomplish. For this project, I created three multi-layer sculptures, that are meant to be seen at all angles. The purpose is to give audiences the opportunity to see multiple viewpoints, just like we each have our own perspectives. Based on the three defining characteristics of ADHD, these sculptures describe the feeling and makeup of these traits. The first trait being the Introspective Nervous System. This is the biological makeup of your brain that is abnormal when compared to the Neuro-typical brain. This means that motivations and passions are very different for those with ADHD. If someone is passionate about a specific project, they will go 110% to get it done. But if they are not, no convincing them in the world will get it done. I chose to illustrate this sculpture through cellular and introverted imagery. The second sculpture depicts the Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria. It describes the intense and raw feeling you can have at all times. It is often described as a giant hole in the chest that aches. Using the idea of a chest, I created a sculpture mimicking lungs and decided to make an acrylic engraved layer, that would show the layers underneath through its negative space. The final sculpture was based on the well -characteristic of ADHD, hyperactivity. Well this is the most known characteristic, it actually only significantly affects about 20% of those that have ADHD. Using layers of optical allusions, textures, contrasting colors, and organic shapes, I wanted to create a sculpture that your eyes could not rest on any specific portion of it. This mimics the idea of hyperactivity, in which the brain or body cannot fully find rest. Both in self-discovery and in technical skill, I have pushed myself into territory that I had never imagined. The countless hours of designing these large 2x3’ sculptures, the hand aching task of matting and cutting shapes, the building of frames, and stringing of layers all lead to these finished works and represent my pride in my work, and in my self-discovery.”