Petri Dish
“Petri Dish” is a sculpted radial pattern of microorganisms under a microscope. Out of the three, this is her favorite. Like the artist, the organisms in the dish live in an environment where they are under constant, yet continue to live to the fullest. The artist believes that the minor things are just as important as the larger ones. Everything in life began with the smallest of creatures. In order to live, they survive. True survival means living. The artist notes that she currently feels conflicted over what she does daily: live or survive.
About the Artist, Lauren Holmes
Lauren Holmes Baloco is a senior at the University of the Incarnate Word. She will graduate May 2023 with a Bachelor’s in Art and English with honors. She hopes to publish several poetry books and start a small business before entering an apprenticeship.
Interview with the Artist
What impacts do you think art can have on society?
Art can have any sort of impact on society. Art in the past as well as in the present has continued to result in necessity infuriate, inspire, comfort, support, empower, even simply engage viewers in whatever piece is presented. Installation art simultaneously visually and physically engages viewers to participate. Art itself does not have to have any sort of meaning, but even if it does not, it technically still might. It is more than okay as an artist to take the time to play.
What is the main message you would like others to take from your pieces?
The skeletal one’s purpose appeals to those who have struggled with feeling like they are not special, like they do not stand out, or like they are or have felt invisible. The second one is meant to draw in viewers of the piece to something as minute and minuscule as microorganisms. It is a small reminder that although we cannot see them, they are there. This applies to many current situations and circumstances.
How has your artistic style changed over the years? Do you follow current trends or follow different themes?
Over the years, I would primarily draw in pencil, pen, or paint in acrylic. That shifted to working with ink, paint markers like POSCA, epoxy, sculpting, etc. I hope to work with other forms of visual arts with other types of media such as oil painting. I like to follow different themes, but save the trends as reference to what I can do with my next works.
What does art mean to you?
Art to me is something I cannot separate myself from. It has always been an integral part of my life. For many years, I would usually only be noticed as an artist first, a person second. This loaded question would need to be properly answered in an essay.