Zoe Petersen, a student artist from Black Hawk College, has been honored with the Figge Fan Favorite: Concept award at the Figge Art Museum’s 2024 College Invitational. Her acrylic painting, “Dissociate,” captured audiences and judges alike at the event held on February 20. Petersen, hailing from Atkinson, attended the ceremony alongside art faculty members Terrance Gray and Annie Oldenburg. Her artwork, reflecting themes of identity and disconnection, stood out among pieces from 45 students representing eight colleges and universities. Peterson’s poignant use of purples and yellows evokes an emotional journey through uncertainty and self-discovery. Visit https://www.bhc.edu/news/2025/02/student-artist-zoe-petersen-wins-award-in-figge-art-invitational/ to see more entries.
Zoe Petersen said, “I was compelled to create a painting that matched my distress and confusion during a transformative time in my life. It’s likely we’ve all had experiences when we felt disconnected – as if we were simply watching from the sidelines. Sometimes when we dissociate, we forget about simple things, we feel uncertain about who we are and what we want.
“The ripples of purples and yellows in the background act as the aura of my identity breaking apart, losing familiarity and comfort. My pupils are missing as I look towards the unknown, unable to focus. This painting is an emotional rendition of my disconnection from the world around me and my longing to feel accepted, my deep-seated desire to find myself in a sea of uncertainty.”