Bonita Tanaka

TECTONIC GRAPHIC DESIGN

l use the metaphor of geologic tectonic plates deep under Earth’s surface for the relationship I experience between art and design. These forces push against each other, build surface tension, and create many curious layers. Plate tectonics remind me of the constant tension and layers I experience in each of my roles: Woman, Wife, mother, designer, creator, form maker, being.

Using self portraiture for the first two projects focusing on the “body as a curious layer” and then community for my last two, my investigations reveal tensions around identity. Identity through Place in the Routes/ Roots Project, Identity through shoes in the Shoe Stories Project, Identity through gender in the Visible Invisible Project. Identity Public, through three interventions, Gathering Together, Community Message and Public Broadcast.

Through my MFA journey I allowed my own process to emerge and it wasn’t one or the other but its own thing, a fusion of art and graphic design informed by a combination of digital tools of graphic design practice and traditional tools associated with fine art. I gave this thing a name: Tectonic Graphic Design.

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