Life is an ever-changing narrative. As an artist and creative writing student, I've always enjoyed a good story. Stories that move; that make you think; that just feel good. I believe that storytelling is at the heart of art making and is at the core of my work. I want to share stories in a way that also invites viewers to explore narratives within themselves.
“Beyond the Roses” is a body of work that explores nostalgia and the comforting aspects of art through the lens of rose-tinted glasses. Time is flying by so fast that we hardly have enough of it to appreciate the present. Nostalgia is not only concerned about the past, but where we are now. My goal is to allow, for just a moment, the glasses to come off and reconnect the past to the present. Softness, and in turn, nostalgia, is often looked down upon, usually as a means of avoiding over-sentimentality or being stuck in the past. I want viewers to embrace those feelings and sit with them.
I chose to work with acrylic painting and digital illustration, utilize soft colors, strong contrast, and simplified forms to convey a sense of warmth. Each of these pieces are a reflection of my personal journey — my interests, my struggles, through art and through life. They represent not only an appreciation of days gone by but are also a reminder to myself that I am here.
Gabrielle Smith is a senior born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She was a former Salem student between 2017 and 2018, having to withdraw due to difficult circumstances. After briefly attending another university, she returned to Salem in 2024 deciding to major in Studio Art with double minors in Creative Writing and Visual Literature. In her time back at Salem, she has refined her storytelling skills in art and in writing and hopes to pursue illustration with an interest in comics and graphic novels.