JTC 26: Finding Self Via the Lens

OXFORD, Miss. – For Haley Chiles, the trail to discovering her inventive voice was not simple, however her journey by means of the University of Mississippi’s artwork program has helped her uncover each her medium and herself. 

Chiles, who graduated in December, initially wished to pursue movie research at Ole Miss. However, after exploring completely different inventive avenues, she realized her true ardour lay in images.  

Earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in imaging arts, the Clinton native makes use of images as a medium for self-expression, therapeutic and elevating consciousness. Her work typically addresses themes that may be stigmatized, akin to advanced trauma and dissociation experiences. 

“I’ve always seen art as a way to express myself,” she mentioned. “My work is very personal.” 

The nurturing steering of assorted college members performed an important position in Chiles’ improvement as an artist. She credit Brooke White, a former professor of imaging arts, with serving to her construct confidence and inspiring her to discover the world of artwork images. 

“I was very doubtful and not as confident myself,” Chiles mentioned. “And (White) would talk with me, recommend artists to explore and encourage me to think about the future, what I might do after I graduate.” 

When White left the college, Sara Wilkerson, tutorial assistant professor of imaging arts, stepped in and continued to nurture Chiles’ inventive progress. Wilkerson additionally helped pave her method to efficiency artwork.  

This new dimension allowed Chiles to include her physique into her work, creating a strong counterpoint to her experiences with dissociation. 

“I have a lot of ideas that are out of my comfort zone,” Chiles mentioned. “And (Wilkerson) has been helpful in introducing me to new things, how I can incorporate that into my concept and providing feedback.” 

Kris Belden-Adams, affiliate professor of artwork historical past, is one other key contributor who supplied significant steering, serving to Chiles navigate the fragile steadiness between vulnerability and viewers consolation when sharing private work. 

“One day after class, I shared my project with her and told her I was worried it might feel like trauma dumping to the audience,” she mentioned. “Ms. Belden-Adams told me, ‘You’re just telling your story.’ That resonated with me deeply.” 

Beyond the classroom, Chiles discovered group on the Daily Mississippian, the college’s pupil newspaper, the place she labored as a photographer. Ashton Summers, a junior and DM picture editor, took an opportunity on her regardless of restricted job expertise and has been a relentless supply of encouragement. 

Chiles’ faculty expertise was not with out struggles. Her sophomore 12 months was significantly troublesome, however perseverance led to a breakthrough, and her junior 12 months turned one in all her greatest collegiate experiences. 

“I felt like, ‘If I haven’t found my people yet, am I ever going to?’” she mentioned. “But some people are late bloomers; it takes them a minute — because next year, I met the best people.” 

Being introverted has additionally been a problem for Chiles. Much of being an artist includes networking, which she discovered troublesome at first. However, she finally discovered her groove by means of mentors who may information her.  

For incoming college students who may establish as introverted like herself, Chiles gives some recommendation. 

“Find an adviser or mentor that you can speak to about your work,” she mentioned. “And try to use your art as a way to help build community and connections.” 

Chiles hopes to make use of her artwork to attach with others who face related challenges, breaking stigmas round psychological well being and trauma. 

“A lot of issues I struggle with are things that others struggle with as well,” she mentioned. “And because of how open I am about my struggles; I have been told that people have felt comfortable opening up to me about certain things that they don’t feel comfortable sharing with others.”   

For Chiles, images is greater than a inventive outlet; it’s a bridge between private therapeutic and communal understanding. 

“Art has been the one constant through it all,” she mentioned. “I can just lose myself in it and go into a meditative state of creation.” 

Though her faculty journey didn’t at all times observe the anticipated path, Chiles mentioned she leaves with a stronger sense of function and id. 

“I feel like my time at Ole Miss has been very pivotal in terms of my character development as an artist, but also as a person,” she mentioned. 

Top: Haley Chiles, Clinton native and advantageous arts main, makes use of images as a medium for self-expression, therapeutic and elevating consciousness. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services 

See extra photographs from Haley Chiles’ Journey to Commencement