In memoriam: works by and for D'Sean Perry

Friday, June 23, 2023
9-5 pm | Ruffin Hall

Curated by Victoria Valdes, Visual Resource Center 3D Fabrication Lab Director

The desire to accomplish my goals is something that keeps me going every day”

 –D’Sean Perry, artist statement

D’Sean Perry, a fourth-year Studio Art major, football player, devoted friend and beloved son, was tragically killed in November 2022.  

Artistically speaking, spring of 2023 should have been a time of high productivity for D’Sean as he worked toward his senior show. His death deprived him of the opportunity to create his final portfolio, and deprived his peers and instructors a chance to see how his work might have grown and developed. 

In this show, we celebrate D’Sean’s projects as they are, as well as the artist and person that he was.

The show also features objects created by people who loved him and who continue to grieve his passing; our work commemorates in some small way the great impact that D’Sean had on our lives.

The primary piece on display in this show is a 3D model collage titled “Icarus,” created by D’Sean Perry in spring of 2022.  For this assignment, D’Sean was asked to learn photogrammetry, a technique that uses software to compile photos of a physical object, creating a digital 3D model.  The theme of the project was “Cruel Optimism” – a mentality or position that provides temporary confidence or enjoyment at the cost of a person’s long-term benefit.  The assignment required him to create a single model; D’Sean created three, including a beautifully detailed self-portrait, an extremely difficult capture for a beginner 3D modeler.  He took the theme of “Icarus,” a young man from Greek mythology whose pride led him to fly too close to the sun on homemade wings that melted, leading to a fatal fall.  D’Sean mentions the stress of balancing his busy life, finishing his projects and graduating, and saw the project as an opportunity to face his challenges head on: “I hope by acknowledging these traits and habits, that it will lead to a positive impact of change and personal development.” 

For those of us who knew and loved him, there was an immeasurable positive impact.  D’Sean’s will be remembered for his joy and his willingness to pitch in on any project. His love for his friends, his team and his work were infectious, and a testament to his character.  His easy smile and approachability, and his enthusiasm in encouraging his friends to join him in artistic pursuits made an incredible impact on his peers, and built up the welcoming and inclusive culture of the Art Department.  He is deeply missed and lovingly remembered.