ARTIST BIO
Franny Haight is an artist from Evanston, IL, currently living in Minneapolis. She is a multimedia artist whose work draws inspiration from the intricate relationships people cultivate with objects, emphasizing the time, care, and thought invested into making something by hand. Currently pursuing a Fine Arts degree at the University of Minnesota, with a focus on Sculpture and Printmaking, she serves as a Printmaking Area Technician at Malcolm Myers Print Studio, gaining valuable experience in studio maintenance. She also acts as studio manager for Bohemian Press Club's Leadership and has provided her with the opportunity to collaborate with visiting artist Bryan Wagner. Beyond university, Franny works with ArtScraps, a local nonprofit aiming to increase art accessibility.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I like to think of my art as an altar to the mundane. I'm fascinated by the stories that objects tell about individuals. From the trinkets we cherish to the furniture that fills our homes, I like to imagine the narratives that objects weave about individuals and ponder the deliberate curation of one's surroundings. I consider whether these objects evoke joy, tell stories, or encapsulate the essence of individuals.
Having grown up in a world saturated with mass-produced goods, I've developed a deep appreciation for handmade objects. These pieces possess a special charm that manufactured products often lack, bearing the unmistakable mark of human touch and intention. I believe that handmade items bring life to our spaces, serving as gentle reminders of our individuality and the love poured into their creation.
Nostalgia and perception play a significant role in my artistic practice, as I reflect on the idealization of innocence and wonder. While acknowledging the inevitability of growth and change, I hold dear the simplicity and imagination of childhood. Infusing my work with a sense of nostalgia, timelessness, and sentimental qualities that remind viewers of a stage of their life that is now only memories.
Perception, too, is a concept I grapple with in my artistic practice. I'm acutely aware of the varied perspectives through which we are seen and understood by others. The notion that everyone has a different idea of who you are fascinates me, prompting me to delve deeper into the complexities of human perception. I'm intrigued by the quick judgments and misconceptions that often arise from these differing viewpoints, prompting me to challenge and interrogate the ways in which we perceive and are perceived by others.
Amidst the inevitability of growth and change, I cling to the simplicity and imagination of childhood. Infusing my work with a sense of timeless nostalgia, I seek to evoke sentiments of bygone days, where every moment was imbued with a sense of wonder and possibility. It's a testament to the enduring power of innocence and curiosity, a reminder to cherish the magic in the ordinary and find solace in the stories that shape us. My goal is for my art to create spaces where people feel seen and free to express themselves without constraints. Ultimately, I want to spread joy through art that's not just visually pleasing but also simply enjoyable.