Studio art major explores family dynamics through senior exhibit

Majoring in studio art and minoring in education at The College of Wooster, Adele Dooner ’25 discovered the Kandinsky Color Test that correlated primary colors with shapes, taught in Modern Art History by John Siewert, associate professor of art and art history. Inspired by the test, Dooner used her experience as a visual artist to create intricate sculptures and portraits of her family for her Independent Study. Dooner related colors and shapes to personality traits, using data from personality tests and incorporating the corresponding results into pieces for her exhibition.

“‘Visualizing the Self, A Family Series’ has served as an outlet to experiment with my interest in visualizing information and as a means to develop my personal practice and learn more about my family dynamics.”

—Adele Dooner ’25

MY I.S.

Dooner: The exhibition includes sculptural pieces created through the process of rendering shapes in wire, brazed and wrapped with embroidery floss and installed with careful consideration of lighting and shadows. The personality test I used breaks down the self into five dimensions: agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness to experience, extraversion, and neuroticism. The portraits present data pulled directly from the individual’s placement in each of the dimensions and function as graphs, based on a key that I formulated. I hope that viewers are able to take a moment and reflect on their relationships with loved ones when interacting with this series.

EXCITING ASPECTS

Dooner: As someone pursuing a degree in library science, I sought to visualize information in a unique way. I was excited by the feedback that I got and would like to continue experimenting with art as a means of displaying data.

EMPOWERED IN MY FIELD

Dooner: Completing my junior I.S. equipped me with the necessary tools and knowledge to formulate a year-long project. I knew I would need an idea that would keep me interested, and that I could defend to my peers and advisors in critiques and meetings. Some ideas were challenged and changed, but in the end, it only made the work and concept stronger.

SUPPORTIVE SCOT COMMUNITY

Dooner: The studio art department, as well as my peers and advisors, provided me with invaluable feedback. When I needed motivation or support, my friends, teammates, and Ebert staff members had my back. I often workshopped ideas for my series with them.

MY TAKEAWAYS

Dooner: Through my I.S., I used art as a medium to study psychology and information science. This taught me that unconventional connections across disciplines can lead to exciting new ideas.

WHAT’S NEXT

Dooner: I will be moving to North Carolina over the summer and working for the next year to gain residency. In the fall of 2026, I will begin classes at UNC to pursue a master’s degree in library science.

Featured image: Adele Dooner ’25, a studio art and education major, visualized data through sculpture.

Posted in Independent Study on June 20, 2025.