Rhett Shepherd

BFA in Interarts Performance

The Working Clash

Today, we live in a world where we consume media capable of spiriting us away to worlds of high fantasy, exploring concepts beyond our wildest dreams. However, I always found it strange that in these fictional worlds where anything is possible, there is a hesitation to depict the wide variety of identities that encompass our diverse human collective. For my project, I have made a deliberate effort to upset this status quo of playing it too safe and representing so little upheld by ruling corporations. My project,The Working Clash attempts to visualize how a seemingly regular, everyday occupation can creatively revolutionize into an awe-inspiring warrior in the most literal sense. This has manifested as an originally designed cast of characters for a theoretical fighting video game. Here, each fighter is shaped by how their individual identities and occupations meld together to embody their unique fighting styles. With the context of a global pandemic forcing the privileged to confront the importance of essential, service, and low-wage workers, it seems more crucial than ever before to create works that represent the strength, humanity, and capabilities of these individuals, offering them the undeniable respect worthy of the heroes they truly are.

A Sneak Peek…explore the project site to uncover these characters…