Rational Animal: A BFA Group Exhibition
The USAO Art Department presents Rational Animal, a BFA exhibition featuring graduating seniors Julia Taylor, Michaiah Tuner, Abbey Ummel, Gabrielle Dowling, and Laura Barrios Bardi.
The exhibition, with an opening reception scheduled to begin April 10th, 6:00 p.m., at the Nesbitt Gallery, is a unique blend between natural appreciation and technological distortion. The five bodies of work explore the boundaries between instinct and intention through a variety of mediums – such as oil painting, sculpture, photography, and digital art.
The exhibition’s title, a nod to a group discussion concerning the philosophical definitions of humanity, serves as a unifying thread for these five artists. While their subjects range from biblical iconography to sci-fi body modification, the group finds common ground in the study of the figurative form.
“All of our work is very figurative,” said Michaiah Turner. “That’s what really ties our work together, despite us all having different ways of interpreting the human experience.”
Gabrielle Dowling, a 3D artist specializing in wax sculpture and resin casting, provides a literal interpretation of the title Rational Animal. Dowling’s work challenges the hierarchy of the animal kingdom by presenting domesticated farm animals in the style of traditional trophy mounts typically reserved for wild game. Drawing on her Native American heritage and a childhood spent in animal husbandry, Dowling’s work advocates for the respect of every creature.
Julia Taylor explores the ‘rational’ side of the exhibition through the lens of science fiction and technology. Bridging the gap between oil paints and vibrant digital illustration, Taylor’s work depicts human forms engaged in complex power dynamics and body modifications. Their pieces serve as metaphors for emotional vulnerability and the ‘unnatural yet natural’ ways society attempts to mend its internal dysfunction.
Michaiah Turner delves into the unsettling side of the human form utilizing acidic color palettes and figurative distortion. By substituting natural skin tones for greens and reds, Turner provokes visceral emotional responses, forcing viewers to find beauty in the uncomfortable.
Abbey Ummel reclaims historical narratives through what she describes as “religious feminist iconography”. Influenced by her ecclesiastical upbringing, Ummel uses dramatic compositions to highlight overlooked female figures from scripture and mythology. Her work emphasizes the connection between ancient stories and feminine divinity, giving power back to characters often marginalized in traditiRational Animalonal settings.
Laura Barrios Bardi offers a unique perspective on the physical body through sports photography. Rather than capturing robust action, Bardi focuses on the stillness and "little imperfections" found in competition. Her work focuses on the appreciation of the athletic experience through a lens reminiscent of classical Greek statues, revealing the quiet humanity through form, tension, movement, and the composition of her photographs.
For these five seniors, Rational Animal represents the culmination of four years of technical growth and studio dedication within the USAO Art Department. The process of mounting a professional-grade exhibition has been a lesson in collaboration – from hours of painting, to sifting through hundreds of photographs, to the logistical complexities of gallery installation unique to every exhibition.
"For this show, there’s going to be something for everybody," Laura said. "Even if you don’t know who we are, you can walk in and find something really interesting."
Rational Animal opens April 10th, 2026, at the Nesbitt Gallery. The public is invited to attend the opening reception to meet the artists and experience a visual journey that explores the expanses of the mind and the spirit of the human body.
About the Nesbitt Gallery:
The Nesbitt Art Gallery on the campus of the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma was established in June 1997 as the USAO Art Gallery and rechristened in May 2012 to honor the family of Charles and Margôt Nesbitt. The Nesbitt Gallery has the particular mission to promote the visual arts of the Central Oklahoma Region with a special concern for the expressions of the diverse cultures and the role that educators have played in forming those expressions. While its permanent collection is weighted to support this mission, it also contains other works of art both of historic and contemporary significance.
Contact: Hannah Thompson | 405-574-1362