Lucy Leydon believes double-yolked eggs are a sign of abundance and good luck. Bird-related symbolism has consistently appeared in Leydon’s life since arriving at UT, the feathery animal taking center stage in the studio art and Plan II senior’s showcase.
“This has a lot to do with how I interpret symbolism in my life,” Leydon said.
On Friday evening, Leydon showcased her photographs as part of the study abroad program’s end-of-summer show at the Visual Arts Center, “Imaginary Possessions: Learning Tuscany 2025.” The exhibition offers a culmination of work composed by 24 students who took the program’s required art history course, taught by program director Ann Johns, and a studio art course led by professor of photography Eli Durst.
The integration of the two courses calls for students to immerse themselves in Siena, a town in Tuscany. Johns’ course introduces them to the country’s past pilgrimage. Durst takes what they learn and challenges the students to produce a photo that shows what they believe deserves to be seen.
“What I’m trying to get them to do (is) to go to these spaces and not make the same photo that everyone else makes on their phone,” Durst said. “(To) try to challenge themselves to think critically about the landscape or photograph — something that most people aren’t looking at.”
As Leydon progressed through these courses, the imprint of Catholicism on Italy’s most renowned art pieces became undeniable. The elements of devotion and self-sacrifice most prominent in the religion became Leydon’s inspiration.
“When an animal, like a dog, brings a dead animal, like a bird, into your door and thinks that it’s something you want, but it’s actually scary, I don’t want that.” Leydon said. “How can I represent the bird?”
Originally, Leydon aimed to execute this vision by stuffing feathers she found at a nearby park in her mouth, which is now a separate picture displayed in the exhibition. But in the process of washing them in the sink, the metaphor she searched for revealed itself.
“I am putting myself in a vulnerable position and letting other people see that,” Leydon said. “Even the idea of having to kill a part of yourself to love another person, I think that’s deeply personal.”
The Visual Arts Center chose Leydon’s “Washing Feather” to be pictured above the event posted on their website. Durst said the performance aspect and setting make the image fit well alongside the exhibition’s title.
For the past 20 years, Johns watched diverse works of art come together, the medium ranging from printmaking to video production and, most recently, photography. Having seen the Learning Tuscany student exhibition every year, she said the photos display students’ personalities and their sense of awe.
“I can see some themes of them trying to sort of grope with what this crazy medieval town is all about,” Johns said. “But boy, they come out differently every year.”
Leydon said by just looking at the photos, she is able to see the personalities of each of her peers. People show themselves more than they believe they do, she said, and it teaches you who that person is.
“26 people can all experience the exact same thing,” Leydon said. “Appreciating each different person’s contribution or perspective — that’s a skill that everyone needs.”
