Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Features / Sculpting Through Life

Sculpting Through Life

December 1, 2017 by Emily Guajardo

In an age where technology seems to be at odds with the fine arts, literature and original thought, Hayley Middlebrook has decided to embrace the negative notions and show technology (and society) a thing or two.

Upon competing in the Big Country Art Association, Middlebrook, senior 3-D modeling major from McKinney, was recognized as one of the few contestants whose work presented an appreciation for technology in the online dating realm today.

“I was kind of surprised I even got in,” said Middlebrook. “My professors told me about it and I kind of had to hunt it down and remember ‘Oh, the deadline is approaching’ and I submitted my work and got in. I felt like my work didn’t fit in with the other pieces selected, but it did and that was really cool.”

Before meeting her fiance on OkCupid, Middlebrook felt as though millennials and young adults had a negative stigma toward those wishing to pursue online dating. Despite her hesitation, Middlebrook decided to try out the online dating culture. And just like that, she met her man.

“[The Sculpture] was kind of created out of me thinking about online dating,” said Middlebrook, “and if that leads to actual physical relationships and maybe even marriage in the future which is relevant to me since I found my guy through it.”

Even though the sculpture does not contain a detailed summary about Middlebrook’s intent, her personal testimony is what connects the originality and nuance. It’s the uniqueness of her story and piece that grants the viewer hope for the possibility of finding love in the midst of a technological world.

“I was proposed to on the day of the reception,” said Middlebrook as she giggled in excitement. “I’m not a big surprise person and I knew it was going to happen and it helped that the show was happening that weekend too. Oh, and my birthday was the following day (laughs). And we were talking about how he was going to propose because we had already talked about it and then he said ‘Well, I should get on my knee then,’ and that’s how it happened. The show, the proposal and my birthday all in one weekend.”

Although her love story inspired of her piece, Middlebrook discovered her passion for art much earlier.  As a child, Middlebrook loved to create. Whether it be a painting, a clay sculpture or a simple drawing, Middlebrook knew she wanted to pursue art as a full time profession.

“I was always in art growing up and I don’t really have any specific memories that are technically my favorite,” laughed Middlebrook. “It wasn’t a surprise to anyone that I came to ACU for art.”

Switching over from graphic design at the end of her sophomore year to 3-D modeling, Middlebrook knew she had found her niche. From one year to the next, Middlebrook’s artistic atmosphere changed. She was finally creating again.

“I initially came here as a graphic design student to make more money than just fine arts,” said Middlebrook, “But, ultimately I changed over to 3-D modeling because it made me happy. And I thought I would rather be happy than make money. Since I stayed within the art department, I had already taken a sculpture class before I changed and that really drove me to change to being a sculpting major.”

Inspired by Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti, Middlebrook said she always admired his work and tried to incorporate his techniques into her own work.

“I started off with that [Giacometti] and then slowly fell away from that and tried to find my own style and techniques and niche within that,” said Middlebrook.

Through the halls of the Don Morris building, one can catch glimpse of Middlebrook at work; craving, analyzing  and ever so slightly, admiring the future piece of work to blossom from the mess before her. Like all talented artists, Middlebrook see’s her end result in sight.

By understanding the audience and listening to their artistic appetites, Middlebrook knows what each piece created should represent, who should it speak to and how it should be perceived.

“Art is so subjective and some people are going to like your work and some aren’t and you just kind of have to keep going with your life,” said Middlebrook with a grin.

Smiling as she strokes her pixie-cut hair back, Middlebrook returns to her station eager to create another masterpiece, another possible submission.

Filed Under: Features, Showcase

Other Features:

  • Ron Hadfield, moving forward after 39 years

  • Where to eat out in Abilene

  • FilmFest: ‘Ruby Letters’ lets grandfather help overcome a breakup

About Emily Guajardo

Arts and Features Editor from San Antonio, TX
Hobbies: Reading heroine novels, eating chinese food and working out.

You are here: Home / Features / Sculpting Through Life

Other Features:

  • Ron Hadfield, moving forward after 39 years

  • Where to eat out in Abilene

  • FilmFest: ‘Ruby Letters’ lets grandfather help overcome a breakup

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257Retweet on Twitter 15219188327381442571Like on Twitter 15219188327381442578Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178Like on Twitter 152160708755345817819Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved

Posting....