Skip to main content
LibApps staff login

Creative Cartography

Cartographic exhibits featuring artworks by Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, School of Art students and hosted by the ASU Library.

Opening Panel

Seek and Find: Artwork Gallery

Artwork by Maria Arvizu

SEEK

Maria Arvizu

SEEKING PEACE WITHIN

Az map, ink, and watercolor

My piece is trying to seek peace through nature and ourselves while struggling through mental hardships. I used various materials to capture the essence of peace within our true selves and also find it through nature.

Artwork by Maria Arvizu

FIND

Maria Arvizu

PEACE AT LAST

Az map, clay, ink, and acrylic

This piece represents finding peace at last and feeling free from internal struggles. I cut up pieces from the map and attached them to the clay sculpture to represent putting the pieces back together and finding peace.

Artwork by Autumn Byars   

SEEK                                                              

Autumn Byars                                               

IS THERE GOD IN THIS SADNESS?

AZ ground water map, acrylic paint, and cardboard

My piece deals with the question of depression. With my layers of cardboard, I invite you to descend into the pit that sits in my chest and ask the questions: Is God here with me in this sadness; is this sadness God?

Artwork by Autumn Byars

FIND                                                   

Autumn Byars                                               

HOME             

AZ map, colored pencil

My piece explores the concept of feeling at home in a physical space. The map depicts the West Valley, where I grew up; as I've gotten older, I've also learned to be at home in this body, trusting myself to be my own compass. 

Artwork by Lea Byrnes

SEEK

Lea Byrnes

SEEK AND YE SHALL FIND

Map, ink, watercolor, and acrylics

For my piece, I utilized a mixed media technique of metallic and regular watercolors, ink, and Golden acrylic paint on a topographic map. The hands are seeking, but not yet finding; they don’t see the flowers in front of them.

Artwork by Lea Byrnes

FIND

Lea Byrnes

FOUND

Map, mannequin, and pipe cleaners

My sculpture represents the beautiful flower of faith, love, and hope being found. I covered the mannequin in a map key and twisted pipe cleaners to create a rose.

Artwork by Mia Christensen

SEEK

Mia Christensen

AGUILAS DEL DESIERTO

AZ map and  ballpoint pen

My piece was created on a map of the Luke Airforce Base on the border of AZ and Mexico, an active military bombing range with a high mortality rate for migrants passing through to the border due to its dangerous conditions and restricted access from aid workers. ‘Los Aguilas del Desierto’, or “the Eagles of the Desert” is a group of volunteers who go out into the harsh desert in search of migrants in need of help and the bodies of those who perished.

Artwork by Mia Christensen

FIND

Mia Christensen

AGUILA

AZ map, Bristol paper, glue, and tape

Both my pieces are about a group of volunteers called ‘Los Aguilas del Desierto’, or “the Eagles of the Desert”, who go out into the harsh desert in search of migrants in need of aid or rescue. This 3D piece depicts the animal symbol chosen to represent this very strong and courageous group of people.

Artwork by Freddie Espinoza

SEEK

Freddie Espinoza

AMONG THE LAND

AZ map, ink, watercolor, and colored pencil

Organic shapes are hidden among our maps. They form colorful representations of what is really there.

Artwork by Freddie Espinoza

FIND

Freddie Espinoza

GEOLOGICAL SUSTRUCTURE

AZ map and clay

We often apply our imagination to natural phenomena and organic shapes like clouds or a coffee stain. This piece also hides a familiar shape in the form of a geological structure.

Artwork by Nicole Everding 

SEEK 

Nicole Everding 

CAMERA 

AZ map and cut paper 

My piece displays a 3D model of a camera wrapped in an AZ map, which is a direct tie to my other piece ”Found Footage.” The camera is the vehicle in which “Found Footage” was filmed.  

Artwork by Nicole Everding 

FIND 

Nicole Everding 

FOUND FOOTAGE 

AZ map and graphite 

My piece presents a found footage horror film scene of a person being chased by a monster moments before the footage ends. The story takes place on the Jeep Trail found on the map.  

Artwork by Riley Benitez Gaudette

SEEK

Riley Benitez Gaudette

TEN THOUSAND MOTHERS, FATHERS, BROTHERS, SISTERS, SONS, AND DAUGHTERS

Topographic map of the US-AZ/MX-SO border and markers

This piece includes a drawn map which represents the estimated 10,000 people who have lost their lives attempting to cross the border since the 1990s in search of a better, safer life for themselves and their loved ones. Last year, 2021, was the deadliest year on record with a total of 728 known deaths. 

Artwork by Riley Benitez Gaudette

FIND

Riley Benitez Gaudette

SEARCHING STILL

Geological map of AZ, styrofoam head, synthetic eyelashes, paint markers, reflective paper, and glue

This piece represents the journey of self-discovery that every person embarks on throughout their life. By layering different pieces of the topographic map and pairing that with a heavy focus on the figure’s eyes, the message is one of conscious learning and growth. 

Artwork by Danielle Magluyan

SEEK

Danielle Magluyan

MONSTER?

AZ map and ink

This piece portrays the search for a hidden monster under the bed. It is illustrated in a frantic, expressive manner, to portray the fear and anxiety of the search.

Artwork by Danielle Magluyan

FIND

Danielle Magluyan

MONSTER!

AZ map, clay, tin foil, and acrylic paint

This piece represents the actual finding of the monster. Since it is obscured from view, the viewer is required to turn their head and find the creature themselves, placing themselves in the narrative.

Artwork by Kellie M. Martinez

SEEK

Kellie M. Martinez

SEEK DIVINITY

AZ map, watercolor, and cut map paper

My piece is a glimpse into the cosmos. What are you worshiping?

Where is she taking you? 

Artwork by Kellie M. Martinez

FIND

Kellie M. Martinez

FINDING LIGHT

AZ map and matte acrylic paint

My piece represents hope. Find where you are going. Seek the light.

Artwork by Victoria Menge

SEEK

Victoria Menge

MAPPING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INFLUENCER AND INTERESTED

AZ Map, acrylic, and ink

My 3D piece focuses on the current plant on-line trends. I used cut paper and acrylic to focus on the importance of genuinely caring for houseplants and the world around you, rather than just getting plants because that’s what will get you the most likes.

Artwork by Victoria Menge

FIND

Victoria Menge

ARIZONA ALTERNATIVES

AZ map, ink, watercolor, and watercolor pencil

My work depicts native and invasive plants that reside within the Coronado National Forest in Arizona. I’m using the plants to showcase the importance of learning about Arizona plants and being able to honor and take care of them as the effects of climate change continue to grow.

Artwork by Natalia V. Merdick-López

SEEK

Natalia V. Merdick-López

CAPTAIN CALLYPSOS’ PIRATE MAP

AZ map, ink, Micron pen, watercolor, and coffee

My piece was inspired by creating a fantasy-style pirate map. It uses fine line details to illustrate hidden cameos such as little bones, monsters, and fanciful creatures.

Artwork by Natalia V. Merdick-López

FIND

Natalia V. Merdick-López

A PIRATE’S FINAL TREASURE

AZ map, Posca marker, ink, acrylic paint, Mod-Podge, and eyeshadow

My piece was inspired by the idea of a pirate’s final treasure: a pirate’s skull. The idea being, once they’re gone, only their bones remain.

Artwork by Elena M. Morales

SEEK                                                              

Elena M. Morales                                                       

THE PATH TO FIND GOLD                

AZ map, ink, watercolor, stencil, and spray paint         

As an artist, most of the time you are your own harshest critic. This piece was about letting go of all my judgement and just creating.

Artwork by Elena M. Morales

FIND                                                               

Elena M. Morales

THE ORIGINAL VESSLE

AZ map, kids building blocks, and matt medium

All maps were used to map the new world. The only way we got here and most places was by boat.

Artwork by Serenity A. Nez

SEEK

Serenity A. Nez

DRAGON HUNT

AZ map, Micron pen, and watercolor

My piece is a painting of a dragon from ancient China. The viewer is on a quest to look for the dragon.

Artwork by Serenity A. Nez

FIND

Serenity A. Nez

WELCOME TO THE LAIR

AZ map, metal wire, and air-dry clay

My piece is the physical dragon from the map. Instead of being fearsome, it is actually a wise and friendly dragon that grants wishes.

Artwork by Chele Pacheco

SEEK

Chele Pacheco

THE ARTIST

Az map, matte gel, watercolor, and acrylic

The cost of being an artist is a mixture of chaos and art. Some of the greatest masterpieces come from self-sacrifice and heartbreak, all entangled within the journey to find inspiration.

Artwork by Chele Pacheco

FIND

Chele Pacheco

THE MUSE

Az map, 3D print of anatomical heart, wood canvas, matte gel, watercolor, and acrylic

The artistic journey of finding inspiration can be ignited within the most excruciating experiences. The decision to merge yourself as an artist within your art is an act of self-sacrifice that puts your heart on display for the world to see.

Artwork by Sarah Starks

SEEK                                                              

Sarah Starks                                                  

THE DARK KINGDOM                        

Tucson map, ink, and cut paper          

My piece imagines a world in which demons reside.

Artwork by Sarah Starks

FIND                                                               

Sarah Starks

TORTURED SOUL

Tucson map, ink, and paper mache

My piece depicts a soul found within an imagined demonic kingdom.

Artwork by Hannah Thomas

SEEK

Hannah Thomas

PERIODIC REFUGE

AZ map, found aspen leaves, preservative sealer, stainless steel pins, and water-based glue

Using found seasonal materials from the Northern Arizona area depicted on the map, my piece is a representation of the creative process and the impetus for inspiration. Familiar places often serve as muse, and a safe-haven for ideas to flourish, as before, or to be seen anew.

Artwork by Hannah Thomas

FIND

Hannah Thomas

COALESCENCE

AZ map, wood, aluminum wire, water-based glue, acrylic paint, plexiglass, and gold foil

Inspired by the creative process, this piece represents the delineation and agglomeration of ideas through lateral thinking. Topographical shapes enlarged from the map bring form to the melding and shifting brainstorm that transfers vision into innovation.

Artwork by Ethan L. Tri

SEEK

Ethan L. Tri

HIDDEN WITHIN THE BOARD

Az map, watercolor, and ink

This is a mid-match game of chess with the black knight piece missing. Finding the location of where to place the chess piece is key to winning.

Artwork by Ethan L. Tri

FIND

Ethan L. Tri

THE KNIGHT’S GAMBIT

Az map, hot glue, and cardboard

A chess piece is missing in this game of chess. Put the missing piece on the board where the piece is most likely to score a kill.

Artwork by Grace L. Vohs

SEEK

Grace L. Vohs

SEEKING TRUTH

AZ map, cardboard, hot glue, and watercolor

My piece focuses on how humanity, symbolized by the hands, seeks truth, represented by the sphere. Humanity is complex, organic, with earthy tones; truth is structured and sunset colored, and it barely fits into the hands.

Artwork by Grace L. Vohs

FIND

Grace L. Vohs

FINDING HOME

AZ map, ink, watercolor, and acrylic paint

My piece shows how humanity tries to find what home means to us. For me, home is about the nature around me, influenced by my hometowns of Flagstaff, AZ and Incline Village (Lake Tahoe), and this piece portrays the serenity of home while keeping the actual home blank, because everyone’s definition of home is different.

The ASU Library acknowledges the twenty-three Native Nations that have inhabited this land for centuries. Arizona State University's four campuses are located in the Salt River Valley on ancestral territories of Indigenous peoples, including the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Pee Posh (Maricopa) Indian Communities, whose care and keeping of these lands allows us to be here today. ASU Library acknowledges the sovereignty of these nations and seeks to foster an environment of success and possibility for Native American students and patrons. We are advocates for the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge systems and research methodologies within contemporary library practice. ASU Library welcomes members of the Akimel O’odham and Pee Posh, and all Native nations to the Library.