ARTWORK DESCRIPTION
This piece focused on resilience and community. Through the use of a monochromatic color palette I really wanted the viewer to focus on the line work and the layers in this piece.

ARTIST STATEMENT
I am Katie Rodick, an artist from Nevada, Missouri. I am currently attending Pittsburgh State University and majoring in studio art. My work is an exploration of persistence, survival, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of trauma. Having grown up surrounded by abuse, addiction, and early childhood trauma, my life has been marked by profound struggles. Yet, it is these very experiences that have shaped my artistic vision and drive.

At the heart of my art is the story of overcoming, of navigating through pain and finding strength in the healing process. I draw deeply from my understanding of how the body copes with trauma, using symbolism to communicate the complex layers of experience. One of the recurring motifs in my work is the hidden ace — a quiet nod to the "Adverse Childhood Experiences" (ACE) that define much of my past. These cards are buried within my pieces, sometimes only visible on close inspection, a representation of how these experiences are often unseen yet deeply affect our journeys.

Mental health and healing are central to my practice. I believe in the power of art to serve as both a mirror and a bridge — reflecting our struggles and offering a path to restoration. The symbolism in my work is deliberate and purposeful. I draw inspiration from the ancient Chinese art of Kintsugi, the practice of repairing broken pottery with gold, which speaks to the beauty of brokenness and the strength found in healing. I incorporate this concept into my pieces, using gold to unite contrasting elements, transforming the fractures into a powerful testament to resilience.

Through my art, I seek to celebrate the persistence of those who have endured, the strength found in vulnerability, and the beauty in healing. It is my hope that my work provides a space for reflection, recognition, and ultimately, renewal. Because, despite it all, we persist.