Compendium: Illustration Senior Thesis

Montserrat Gallery and Schlosberg Gallery

Dates: April 30th – May 3rd

Reception: Wednesday, April 30th, 5–7pm

The Seniors of the Montserrat College of Art Illustration department announce their final show entitled COMPENDIUM, opening in the Hardie Main Gallery and the Schlosberg at 23 Essex St in Beverly, April 30 and continuing through May 3. The opening reception for COMPENDIUM takes place Wednesday, April 30, from 5–7pm

The work displayed in COMPENDIUM is from a collection of seventeen illustrators with a wide variety of approaches, styles, applications and backgrounds. Despite the range of both conceptual and narrative subject matter, as well as distinctly different materials and displays, all of the work comes together nicely to form a physical manifestation of the time and effort dedicated to this show. COMPENDIUM has roots in many facets of illustration. From sophisticated collage to traditional paintings with acrylic, ink, and watercolor, the presence of fine art is strong in the show. Many featured artists make use of multimedia to explore new and innovative ways of art making and self-expression. There is physical work, sculpture combining paper craft with illustrative elements, as well as more commercial items like garments with hand-printed designs. Including sizes ranging from delicate holiday cards and intricate book jackets to impressively large movie posters and tapestries, there is no shortage of diversity in projects. Exploring narrative and concept design, there are examples of imagined environments, game assets, character design, and an abundance of sequential art in the form of comics and children’s books.

About the Artists:

Rose Aggi is an independent illustrator living in Massachusetts with their sweet cat named Zinnia. Dabbling in many things, Rose gravitates towards silly and cute aesthetics in digital art, usually with an emphasis on animals.

Kailani Banasik views their work as a window into the world of their stories, captivating their audience with whimsy. Taking narratives and concepts and giving them life with color and silliness is their goal as an illustrator, with hopes to enter the kidlit world. They take inspiration from everything around them, from video games to the people and animals in their lives, morphing it into something fantastical and fun.

Grace Cantalini was born and raised in western Massachusetts. With indulgence in escapist fantasy and a nod to classic science fiction, her work places an emphasis on vibrant colors and intricate line work. Inspired by the natural world and the limitless possibilities of outer space, her focus is on environmental and figurative illustration.

Cat Cheseldine is a New England based illustrator who concentrates on delicate details, fluid states of movement and evolutionary qualities in her subjects. Cat‘s work uses flora and fauna as both subjects and symbolism to create meaning in her pieces.

“The natural world around us offers so much to be admired, the delicate blade-like feathers on the birds, the vibrant colors of beetle shells, and the shapes of stems that swirl and build according to the circumstances of their environment,” Cheseldine states.

Ana Chirinos is a Venezuelan-American illustrator raised in Texas and currently based in the North Shore of Massachusetts. Inspired by the Golden Age of Illustration and the unique visual qualities of printmaking, her work combines intricate linework and texture with grandiose, almost theatrical compositions. Through careful symbolism, framing, and color, her pieces highlight the humanity at the core of every story.

Alexis Defranc is a self-described mix of an artist with an unhinged fascination for the ‘Modern Era’, a passionate writer, and an 80s rock mixtape. Born and based in Southeastern Massachusetts, they strive to make their work feel as alive as the next song they have on shuffle.

Lucas dos Santos is a Brazilian Illustrator who utilizes printmaking and photography in order to create work that takes inspiration from the media he grew up with, mainly derived from Japanese Live-Action superhero shows.

Jessica Ganino is an artist based in Saugus, MA. Their work is offbeat and mixes bubbly cuteness with macabre elements. Primarily digital and heavily detail focused, their work reflects a sophisticated contrast.

Rebecca Jordan is an artist living and working in Massachusetts. Her work is rooted in quiet rhythms of personal experiences, inviting the viewer into a space where moments unfold with tenderness. Through soft, fluid strokes and muted hues, the work speaks in a gentle whisper, offering a window into her world while leaving room for the viewer to engage on their own terms.

Cicey Labella is an Illustration major and Art Education minor at Montserrat College of Art. They are a painter and printmaker who creates work based on their life, identity, and making people laugh.

Jasmyn Mall is an illustrator based in Massachusetts despite originally hailing from a small, peculiar New Jersey town. Her upbringing in Jersey has instilled a fascination and appreciation for the strange and folkloric, which has led her to create work focusing on these subjects.

Abigail Monson is a Massachusetts-based interdisciplinary artist working in a variety of mediums, including collage, painting, printmaking, and fiber arts. Informed by her past career in computer science and her interest in biology, architecture, and science fiction, her work explores our relationship with everyday technology, the tension between the past and the future, and the overlooked beauty of the natural world.

Adrian Persaud is an Indo-Guyanese and Brazilian artist working towards racial diversity in the media. His works explore life as a mixed-race individual, reaching out to help others feel heard. His pieces blur the lines between fine art and illustration, having process and material take the spotlight.

Newt Ryan is known for creating creepy, disturbing, and intentionally perverse art with religious overtones that often features contorted figures, muted colors, and an abundance of insects.

Quin Schaeffer is a narrative artist whose work draws influence from queer history and culture, combined with the aesthetics of the film noir era, and the golden age of Hollywood. Coming from a family who values creativity and enjoys old-school suspense and thriller films, those two themes come together in Quin’s art making, from their teens into their current young adult years as they finish their college degree.

Ari Varney is an illustrator living in Massachusetts. Ari is constantly intrigued by the concept of nostalgia, trying to illustrate human experiences and emotions. They also enjoy making art that is warm and a bit silly at times.

Vivi Young is an Illustrator based in New England, working in watercolor, graphite and acrylic. Her art focuses on fantasy and horror themes viewed through a whimsical lens.