INFLUENCE: Art, Activism, and Identity as Seen Through a Neurodivergent Lens (MFA Thesis)

**Project Artist Statement**

Neurons are the building blocks of our brain, forming intricate networks that allow electrical impulses to travel between them, creating new connections and relaying information. As a neurodivergent individual, I experience life through hyperactive senses, which drives me to create, explore, discover, and learn. My sculptural installation, Influence, is a representation of the neurons in my divergent brain. Using yarns, fibers, plastics, latex, and light, the installation is intense, just like my reality. The colors and lights lure the viewer in, but they can also become overwhelming, reflecting the experience of living with ADHD. The constant pull of stimuli while simultaneously being repelled and overwhelmed is a familiar feeling for those with ADHD.
Influence is more than just an art installation; it's an opportunity to start productive conversations about reforming our educational and societal systems to be more inclusive and open to all individuals, regardless of their neurological differences. I have backed up my narrative and artwork with scientific data and research, dispelling harmful myths and challenging preconceived notions about neurodivergent individuals. My goal is to widen the path for anyone following the divergent path after me, so that they can encounter less resistance and have a more inclusive society.

Matejcek, Anna E., "Influence" (2017). 2017 MFA Visual Arts. 1. https://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/mfa_artists_2017/1

Matejcek, Anna, "Influence: Art, Activism, and Identity as Seen Through a Neurodivergent Lens" (2017). Boise State University Theses and Dissertations. 1271. https://doi.org/10.18122/B2Q40H