MOLLY GOUGH

Studio Artist

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ABOUT ME

My name’s Molly Gough. I am a daughter, a sister, a friend. I am a former competitive Irish dancer, actor, violinist and cross-country runner. I am a senior and an Alpha Sigma Tau sister. I am, and have always been, an artist. My art is the one thing that has accompanied me through my early years and all the way to college. Art is my life. It is intertwined in all that I do. I channel my passion for art in my interactions with others – on campus, while having fun, or working at the Jeannie Bird Baking Company. My art says a lot about me. My art tells others that I am hard-working, outgoing, and loving. My art tells the world that I don’t mind getting dirty and that I love beauty in this world. My art has been my companion for 21 years, and I fully expect it to be my co-pilot as I get ready to leave McDaniel College and head into the real world. My art tells me to be flexible in my plans in what I will do and be moving forward, although the reality of pulling all my skills together points towards Art Therapy. We will see. In the meantime, I remain Molly Gough – daughter, sister, friend. Artist.

RESUME

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ARTIST STATEMENT

I first came up with the theme when I was walking outside, truly appreciating nature. I knew I wanted to do something with the environment and how beautiful it truly is. I continued to think, and realized “nature” is simply too broad. My thoughts began to jumble, and I felt lost. Until one day I was walking to class and saw not only one, but seven cigarette butts on the ground walking to class. It takes me approximately 5 minutes to walk to my class, and I saw way too many cigarette butts. Instantly my idea came to life.

How many people really think about the effect of cigarettes on our environment? We all know the impact cigarettes have on humans, but do people really know the impact they have on the environment? We all overlook cigarettes as littering. We throw them out of the car, on the sidewalk, in flower pots, on the beach, and so many other locations. Cigarettes are actually the most littered trash in the world, and I don't think many people are fully aware of that.

As I started to create pieces that relate to the impacts of cigarette butts, I began to think about human behavior in general, and the harmful effects they have on the environment. Yes cigarettes butts are a major concern, but so is trash in general. I started to expand my ideas outside of just cigarette butts, and started to create pieces about plastic littering as well.

A lot of people hear and know about the harmful deadly effects of littering, but do they really try to make a difference? It's time to make a change. I know people have been getting rid of plastic, and cutting down their use of plastic straws, but it's time to step it up a little.

My main purpose is to bring awareness to the major effects cigarette butts, and littering in general have on our environment. From polluting our air to killing animals, all kinds of littering is extremely harmful. My work is going to be disturbing, yet eye opening. Through my use of many different mediums, I hope to show the many deadly impacts littering has on our environment.

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