An illustration by Maria Gerasimchuk-Djordjevic, a Master of Fine Arts in visual studies student, has been chosen among the winners of the international Latin American Fotografía and Ilustración competition.
The jury consisted of six international illustrators, designers and art directors gathered from around the world. Winners receive international exposure in print, digital media and through traveling exhibits.
Great-grandmother inspired piece
Maria’s winning work, “The Hungry Bird,” is a digital mock-up for a four-color silkscreen, in which each layer requires meticulous preparation. It’s a time consuming process, Maria said, that takes a lot of focus.
“The idea of ‘The Hungry Bird’ came to me during one of the conversations I had with my mom,” she said. “She told me about my great-grandmother and her uneasy life in the Ukraine. It was interesting to me that we were talking about these secrets relating to a person who is long gone, yet I was the third generation who got to learn about them.”
Art faculty encourages competition submission
The MFA program encourages graduate students to submit work to competitions — which inspired her to reach out to Latin American Ilustración, she said. Missouri State has inspired her in other ways, as well.
“MSU has a big art department, with multiple disciplines and experienced art faculty. We also have a diverse graduate student body, which I think is a great way to experience different cultures.”
Maria has been part of MSU’s adjunct faculty since spring semester of 2009. In May, she won an international typography award for her piece, “Lai!/Bark!”
After she graduates in May 2017, Maria said plans to search for a teaching position in graphic design or illustration and continue teaching on a college/university level.
More about the MFA program
The MFA in visual studies offers advanced study in visual arts and design with an emphasis placed on the student’s individual research. The curriculum is specifically designed to be flexible to meet the individual research needs within contemporary, traditional and interdisciplinary approaches and media.
The department offers a wide range of facilities including animation, ceramics, design, digital arts, drawing, metals and jewelry, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture.
MFA students regularly showcase their work in on- and off-campus exhibitions.