by Jennifer Delabra
“My work is for the people that are a little eccentric,” said Gloria Townsend as she answered questions in preparation to show work in the Valdosta State Senior exhibition. Townsend is graduating from Valdosta State University in 2022. She, along with many other art students, have had the pressure of balancing school life and creating their art. When in a classroom Townsend works at her own pace and world. Often found to be quiet while working with her headphones on; she will still have a friendly conversation with anyone who approaches. Her slight awkwardness is endearing as she is asked what she is working on and asks back the same question with sincerity. Townsend may be shy in person but her art is not. Her interest in horror, fantasy and representation shine through. She identifies as a queer black artist and is inspired by stories, fiction, animation, and providing representation for people like her.
When asked what motivates her to create she mentions daydreaming, “I’m always motivated to create art whenever I begin to daydream. I’m always in my head and constantly thinking of new ideas to draw”. Her pieces like Olivia of Willowbrook, are cute like one would imagine a daydream to be. The piece is in the process of being published as a children’s book and reflects the interest Townsend had as a child in stories and fiction. However, in her video piece, The Synonymous Procedure, which is currently being shown in the “In Situ” exhibition, her love of horror plays an important part. The piece begins with a blue warning screen and suspenseful music playing. There is a warped voice reading the warning that is advising people not to listen to the ads for the synonymous procedure and cancel their appointments to the clinics. The warning then gets cut off by the ad for the synonymous procedure which has cheery music playing with a voice asking the viewer if they have ever felt like they don’t fit in. Then asks if there was ever a need to be like everyone else, if so then they should sign up for the synonymous procedure which will take away their individuality and differences. All along as the voice is saying this, there are several images that pop up that go along with what is being said by the voice at the time as evidence. An image of what one would look like after the procedure is also shown. It is a yellowish skin colored figure with a creepy smiley face. While Townsend has spoken on creating pieces that combine cuteness with a bit of creepiness, this piece was a new experience for her. When asked if there was a favorite piece in the show she said “My favorite piece in the show is The Synonymous Procedure. I like it the most because it was the most out of my comfort zone and it was the most I’ve experimented with my art before!”.
Townsend reproaches the need to fit in with everyone else and embraces her identity and personality. Her work is a way for her to show different sides of herself and says “My work in the show talks about the sides of me that people don’t often get to see. Each piece created is a visual manifestation of me”. Her piece, Wash Day, is in the show as well. Townsend represents her side that identifies as black and her interest in natural hair. The piece is graphite on paper. There are two female figures, depicted from the chin up, with natural curly hair. Around them there are several hands with long fingernails reaching for them, touching them, holding a cigarette or another object. In the background of the whole drawing there is a spiral of what seems to be strands of curly hair. Townsend often creates pieces with characters that have natural hair. She has also offered tutorials for depicting natural hair accurately. She cares about putting more art out there that will include diversity and inspire inclusion.
Success for Townsend is defined as “to be able to have my stories and art out there for people to enjoy”. Her career goals are to create graphic novels and to make short films full time. As she continues to create art, there will undoubtedly always be the complex mixture of cuteness and creepiness that she has become known for.
Jennifer Delabra, Valdosta State University for Bachelor’s of Art, 2022