Carter West, an art student at MSU Billings, opens his senior thesis exhibition

Billings, Montana – The art department at Montana State University Billings is pleased to present Carter C. West’s senior thesis exhibition. The exhibition will run from February 11 through February 24, 2023, at the MSU Billings Project Gallery in the Liberal Arts building, with a reception on February 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. Public parking is free on campus after 5 p.m. and admission to the event is free.

A visual examination of queerness and individuality, Machinations of the Jolly Queer. Carter West has produced a multimedia installation that seeks to enlarge the concept of queerness by drawing inspiration from both personal experience and group participation. By challenging social prejudices and cultural standards, he connects communities and celebrates collective variety in his work.

West is pursuing an MSU Billings Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and New Media. He was born and raised in Billings, Montana, and was exposed to the arts from an early age. Whether it was doing crafts with his mother, dressing up at daycare, or finger painting in art class, the roots of his future creativity were planted. Following this course of study through high school, West enrolled at MSU to major in studio art before transferring to MSU Billings to complete his degree. After graduating, West made the decision to pursue a fine arts degree. He was hired as the lead preparator at the Yellowstone Art Museum while he was a student at MSUB. Given that he self-identifies as a part of the LGBTQ+ community, his interest in visual language, social expression, and identity has inspired him to research what it means to be a rural queer and explore these ideas in his work.

For additional information, get in touch with art professor Jodi Lightner at jodi.lightner@msubillings.edu or Carter C. West at cartercwest@gmail.com.