Welcome to my first blog post, my name is Nicolina Morra! I am a Studio Art major in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program, and I expect to graduate in the Spring of 2025. I am primarily an oil painter, and my work revolves around the idea that we are intimately connected to items that surround us, and that these things have the power to shape our identity and sense of self.
I’m sure that you all have been told growing up to never look inside a woman’s purse. This is rule #1! Yet, there is still a certain mystique to what lies within – a Pandora’s box of sorts, holding secrets, treasures, and perhaps a few forgotten crumbs. As an artist, I find inspiration in these everyday objects, the mundane becoming a canvas for storytelling.
The contents of a woman’s purse, or anyone’s bag for that matter, serve as a reflection of their identity, desires, and necessities. It’s a curated collection of items that provide insight into their daily routines, aspirations, and even their emotional state. From the practicality of keys and wallets to the sentimental value of photographs and trinkets, each item holds significance. Alongside these positive things, however, a woman’s purse also often contains self-defense weapons that speak to a deeper societal reality. The inclusion of pepper spray, a small stun gun, or even a concealed knife is a stark reminder of the persistent threats and dangers that many individuals, particularly women, navigate on a daily basis.
For my IDEA Grant project, I will be creating a series of paintings dedicated to the narratives embedded in handbags, each painting focused on a specific person. I’ve enlisted the help of my friends, inviting them to share the contents of their purses with me. Yes, I’m breaking rule #1. But it’s okay – it’s for research.
So far, I have completed one painting. This one is a self-portrait, which I decided to do far earlier than the others. It helped me immensely to decipher what aspects I like, and what aspects I’d like to change in the next paintings. It is currently on display at The Gadsden Arts Center and Museum in Quincy if you would like to see it in person! Seeing it in a setting other than my studio space was very insightful as well, and I will definitely be adjusting some things for the rest of the series.
I have started the process of poking through my friend’s bags and photographing their things for reference photos. Amongst the ChapStick tubes and spare change, I’ve encountered pepper sprays and even fabric shears. In capturing these objects on canvas, I hope to shed light on the realities of navigating public spaces and spark conversations about safety and agency.
However, my project is not solely focused on the somber aspects. Alongside the reminders of vulnerability, there are moments of joy and whimsy that create a physical portrait of a person. From a dog-eared book to iconographic eggs, each item serves as a vessel of storytelling, evoking memories that contribute to a rich and multifaceted persona.
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