Makenzie Lawson – Honors Exhibition

Margaret Hodge

Momentum: Time and the Fragmentation of Now

APRIL 29 – MAY 2, 2026

Honor’s Thesis Exhibition – Mezzanine Gallery

Music is so deeply woven into our daily rhythms that it often goes unnoticed. Humans encounter myriad sounds every day; as fish do not notice water, humans become oblivious to sound. Music takes us to places that nothing else can. This work explores music as a noticed language that transcends intellect, acting as an ethereal re-contextualization of human experience. Nightclubs and immersive nightlight spaces are not meant to feel like everyday life. In these spaces, the intersection of music, movement, and the saturation of colored light, distorts perception and renders the environment a euphoric, surreal dream. Furthermore, these works investigate how sound, color, and impulsive sensory forces evoke perception and connection. In darkness, visual distinctions of race, age, and gender fade, allowing individuality to yield a shared, unified experience and a heightened sense of collective freedom. Music shapes the mind and the mind’s response, whether in the collective energy of a crowd or alone in a car.

In this exhibition surrounded by wind and sound, at my invitation you
may sit within the car-based sculpture as this experience simulates the act of driving through a vivid landscape. Through heightened sensibility we notice sunlight, or moonlight, spilling downward, while vibrations in the chest remind us of the tangible concert world we are driving
through. In this moment, music lifts us to transcendent heights.
I want to draw attention to the unconscious ways humans respond to sound—the instinctive swaying, the closing of eyes, and the playful impulses that music unlocks. This art bridges the gap between the mechanics of sound and the indescribable emotions they evoke, encouraging our realization that music exists not merely as background noise, but as a living,
dynamic force. Present within all of us is that mysterious, emotive ability to respond.

Artist Bio:

Born and raised in New Jersey, Makenzie Lawson is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice is rooted in and shaped by music. From a young age, she was drawn to creative expression—experimenting with art, fashion, and personal expression, often arriving at primary school in makeup, high heels and outfits with loud expression. This early commitment to individuality and artistry has continued to define her work. She was later recognized with the
Susan Marie May Art Award in high school and now attends Wake Forest University as a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship for Distinguished Achievement in Studio Art. Makenzie’s passion for art, fashion, and music continues to drive her evolving creative practice.