Chrissy
Boisvert
BIO
Chrissy Boisvert was born in New Lenox, IL and currently resides in Peoria, IL attending Bradley University. Boisvert graduated from Lincoln Way Central High School in 2020 and will graduate Summa Cum Laude from Bradley University in 2024 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts, majoring in Studio Art with a concentration in Photography. Boisvert’s work consists mostly of self-portraiture photography, tackling issues such as body image, gender, sexuality, religion, and adulthood. In addition to photography, Boisvert enjoys physical mediums and crafts such as crochet, printmaking, and book arts. During her time at Bradley, Boisvert has made the Dean’s List every semester and has been featured in the 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 spring editions of Bradley’s literary and arts journal Broadside as well as smaller, independent zines such as White
Noise Zine and Poison of the Paint. In the future, Boisvert hopes to work at a photography studio
and sell her independent work.
Artist Statement
Touch is one of the most important senses; it is a key for connection, a tool for learning, and a necessity for understanding and navigating the world. However, despite the importance of touch, the art world often prevents people from experiencing art tactilely. Because of this, the art world can seem inaccessible or unapproachable to the average person. When velvet ropes and caution tape prohibit interaction and put distance between art and the observer, it’s only natural for people to be hesitant about or indifferent to art. If art is meant to be experienced by all, then why deny viewers a full sensory experience?
Touch is an interactive multimedia photographic series consisting of self portraits printed on a variety of objects and surfaces such as crocheted material, paper, fabric, mirrors, and even food. Every photographic object is designed for the viewer to interact with, touch, look through, wear, eat, and unfold, breaking the barrier that typically stands between art and observer. Each photograph is a self portrait, which humanizes the photographic objects and gives the sense that the art wants to reach out and touch the viewer just as much as the viewer wants to touch the art. Through this interaction, art becomes a mutual act of exploration rather than a one-sided act of voyeurism.