Courtesy of News Hofstra

Kiarra Williams recently showcased her collection of sculptures titled “But what does it mean” in the FORM gallery. The soon-to-be graduate aspires to be an art therapist, seeking to help people work out their problems through art.

A natural-born artist working in mediums including painting, drawing and clay, Williams is a multi-faceted creator. Over the years, Williams’ diverse work has included little trinkets she’s made for friends, drawings and sketches on Snapchat and her art Instagram. The work in this show is different, however, as it demonstrates more intention, skill and passion with regard to the artist.

The space was filled with stoneware clay figurines placed in positions that reflect their slightly ominous one word titles: “Despair,” “Fear,” “Frustration,” “Self-Preservation,” “Euphoria,” “Grateful” and “Breakthrough.” All of them tell a personal journey that she has experienced throughout her senior year and life overall. “Everything in this room is like everything that I’ve been through,” Williams said.

The room was strategically designed to tell a story of failure, growth and acceptance as well as the pitfalls and triumphs that occur along the way. From right to left, the pieces travel from negative to positive in emotion starting with a piece entitled “Broken” and ending with “Breakthrough.”

“Broken,” the first piece, is simple but features a visual that weighs heavy on the viewer’s heart. A ladder is propped in the corner leading to nowhere, but at the bottom lies the bottom half of a human body – cracked, separated and splintered. The display was a clever choice in design, leaving the crumbs where they lie, letting them scatter how they see fit. 

Another favorite from the show is “Self-Preservation,” a piece with a prop that anyone can relate to: a mirror. A small figure is sitting hunched over, looking in the mirror with a hand to its head. It’s much for the mind and soul to digest, but in the best ways. “We all know what that feels like. We’ve been in front of that mirror just thinking about all the things you shouldn’t be,” Williams said.

As friends and family alike gathered in Calkins that day, one could feel the warmth of the artist’s passion, see the results of her work in others and see her potential to grow not only as an artist, but as a healer.