Three of first-year MFA student Caden Ferita’s art pieces have been installed in the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs suite in the Park Building as the newest display in the ongoing student art exhibition. These pieces—“Sound,” “Divide” and “Blue Jacket”—showcase Ferita’s thoughtful approach to drawing and painting. Although not created as part of a series, each piece builds on the quietly reflective themes of the others.
In “Sound, 2025, oil on panel,” Ferita says, “I wanted to explore the possibility of capturing the sound of dried leaves.” By intentionally painting the ground and the leaves a similar shade of brown, Ferita invites viewers to more closely examine the piece to fully understand what they’re looking at.
With similar attention to detail, Ferita’s “Divide, 2022, charcoal, graphite, ink, watercolor, gouache, chalk on gessoed panel, 16 in. x 16 in.” contains multiple elements that may not immediately be visible to a casual viewer. “In the middle is a small self-portrait of myself in the mirror in between the skull and life mask,” Ferita says. “I added this in there as a way for me to explore my understanding of the cycle of life and where one finds peace in understanding the balance between the two.”
“Blue Jacket, 2025, oil on canvas panel, 14 in. x 11 in.” is another self-portrait, though this one is intended to capture Ferita’s emotions in the moment of creation. The colors intentionally emphasize the translucency of Ferita’s skin and the veins underneath.
You can visit the EVPAA suite to view these pieces in person and read this Q&A to learn more about Ferita.
Q: What inspired you to become an artist?
A: Art has become my way of communicating to others and the way for me to examine myself and the world around me. I have always found it challenging to express my deepest emotions through words alone, but art has created a language for me to feel more honest and complete with my experiences, emotions and perspectives. Being an artist is both a personal journey and bridge that connects me to people and ideas beyond myself.
Q: How have art classes at the U shaped you as an artist?
A: I have gained immense insight and instruction from my professors. I am truly honored to have the chance to be taught here. In addition to gaining a higher skillset, I have also acquired a more diverse knowledge of the art world and the artists in it. The classes that I have had so far that have helped shape my artistic career would be my history of photography class, given the insight on how photography has impacted the way paintings and drawings are interpreted and vice versa. The second class would be my independent study with Xi Zhang, as he is an amazing artist who holds some very insightful vital lessons and experiences that artists can really benefit from, such as our conversation about the impact atmosphere and pictorial compositions have in artwork and the emotional response that the viewer receives while viewing.
Q: What is something you hope people get out of your artwork?
A: Perhaps if they feel a personal connection to the work that’s great, but I honestly believe it is really up to the viewer to decide that one.
Q: Who is your favorite artist and why?
A: Oftentimes, my favorite artists are old masters like Velázquez, Botticelli, El Greco, but I also enjoy contemporary artists such as Marlène Dumas and David Hockney. I’m drawn to the old masters like Velázquez, Botticelli, and El Greco for their technical skill, and their ability to capture raw human emotion as well as being aware of the interaction with their subjects. Their application is decisive and really echoes their care from the process of the piece. The contemporary artists I find also have this ability but with the additive advantages of being able to have more experimentation in their application given their access to more advanced materials and an insight of modern-day life we partake in.