Fall 2021 Showcase Hammons

William S. Hammons

The Life and Art of Rocio Harrelson

Artwork represents more than paint and brush techniques. Rocio Harrelson, a Colombian-American artist, reveals the strains and beauty of interpersonal relationships through a unique artistic approach coined “Dynamic Diptychs.” With her artistic sets, the two canvases do not stay stationary. By moving the canvases to the top, bottom, or sides of each other, the viewer experiences four different pieces of art. Her artwork is not linear or stationary; it is fluid and allows the viewer to observe various images of different emotion and artistic depiction. The audience will learn of Mrs. Harrelson’s Latin upbringing, initial love of art, her career changes in life, and the evolution of her stylistic approach. By observing her story, the audience will further understand the influences of nature, relationships, and various cultures on her artwork. 

The project uses an audio medium to portray the “dynamic diptychs” to the variability of Mrs. Harrelson’s artwork, as well as listen to her life story as an artist and Biologist in an oral-history fashion. Through this project, I hope the audience will not only become familiar with the artwork of an Oxford local but understand her work in an introspective manner. The portrayed “dynamic diptychs” will inspire the audience to not only ponder on the complexity and beauty of her artwork, but on one’s life and relationships as well.

William S. Hammons is a Master’s student in the History department at the University of Mississippi. Originally from Greenwood, Mississippi, his time at the university has been focused on studying and documenting modern-American history.