Cenna Mawhinney

BFA Graphic Design

The core origins of my design values stem heavily from the religious beliefs of Shintoism and influences from Hayou Miyazaki. These two main inspirational forces cultivated the ethics behind my design practice. I find it important to preface this by stating that it is my underlying belief that all earthly objects contain some form of a sacred deity. Both spiritually and philosophically, these influences have inspired my art practice. Restoring and replenishing these energies has become my artistic-duty. Throughout my art practice, I explore the harmonization of nature and humankind. It is through the fundamental perspective of working with the world, rather than against it, that I cherish. Within this world, I gravitate towards nature and pull inspiration from it. I explore elements of illustration and design to articulate playfulness in other life forms. I also gravitate towards creating work for the means of connecting people with one another. In order to do so, I combine elements of minimalism and symbolization to create a visual language.

For my recent work, Fabricating Change, I explore visual expression through sculpture and storytelling through cinematics and photography. The goal was to bring light to the second largest water polluter and illustrate the disastrous destruction caused by today’s fast-fashion industry.

Fabricating Change - Video Link: https://vimeo.com/540480628

Website: www.cennakatelyn.com

Instagram: @cennakatelyndesign