2024 Merit Scholarship Recipient: Gaby Beilke

Describe the work you submitted for merits.

My work features a wide range in materials and techniques that I have acquired, from watercolor and fake skin to metal and wood.

Why did you decide to come to MCAD?

I came to MCAD for comics and I'm leaving a sculptor and fabricator... Interesting how things work out.

What are your plans for your senior year? And beyond?

I plan on developing my construction and design techniques when fabricating mechanical structures.

Favorite thing about college life (so far)?

As long as I am going insane with other people, pulling all night-ers can be quite fun sometimes.

What inspires you?

Well, it depends on the project. But I am inspired by gears, things that move, shiny things, my iPod, jeans, found objects, cream cheese, history, Thomas the Train, Alec Baldwin, Spider-man, Gywn, Zendaya, Julie Andrews, Maggie, Stella, marxism, decay, logic, mice, hastas, satin spats, parasols, burlesque, 1910 Italy, water, orchestra, and many more things.

Do you have a favorite piece you've made? Describe it!

My creations are extensions of myself and it is impossible to choose only one. A recent series I have come up with is my "Red Ball" series. It visually juxtaposes the differences between object and machine. At the same time the color red becomes the only constant, making each entity related but drifting apart with each change.

Anything you're obsessed with at the moment?

Blue and orange

Lastly, do you have a favorite question we didn't ask? Tell us and answer it!

What's your favorite historical structural undergarment? Personally for me it's a tie between the Elizabethan drum farthingale and the 17th century pannier. I am not too partial toward the Spanish farthingale due to overt simplicity.