Subverting Their Standards explores the various ways in which Daysia Barr and Dylan Reynolds each challenge the societal standards thrust upon them and others. By creating pieces that upset the social norms that dictate our actions and emotions, the artists provide space for the audience to reflect on the implicit rules that mandate our daily lives.

About the MFA Program:
The Master of Fine Arts candidates at the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design forge unique creative voices within a vibrant community of artists and scholars. Encouraged to push disciplinary boundaries through cross-disciplinary exploration, students like Daysia Barr and Dylan Reynolds, class of '25, delve into the complex landscapes of emotion, identity, and social experience.

Emerging from a rigorous program that cultivates conceptual depth and technical mastery, these artists challenge viewers to reconsider deeply ingrained perceptions and societal narratives. Through diverse mediums and interdisciplinary approaches, their works interrogate the boundaries of personal and collective experience, demonstrating art's potential as a vehicle for dialogue, healing, and critical reflection.
From the transformative power of rage to the nuanced dynamics of queer representation, these projects reveal how artistic practice can negotiate visibility, vulnerability, and resistance. Each piece emerges from a deeply researched, critically engaged practice that connects individual experiences to broader cultural conversations.

Rooted in the Corcoran's commitment to integrating theory and practice, these works reflect a generation of artists who defy simple categorizations. They invite viewers into complex, layered experiences—challenging us to listen, to feel, and to reimagine the potential of artistic expression.

About the Artists:
Dylan Reynolds is a multidisciplinary artist based in the greater Washington, D.C. area. She holds a B.A. from Bucknell University and is currently pursuing an MFA at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design at George Washington University. Through sculpture, textiles, and photography, Reynolds explores themes of bodily autonomy, rage, and community, engaging with the political and social challenges of contemporary life.

Her work has been featured in exhibitions at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design, including Everything is Fine (2024) and Reinvention (2024). In April 2025, she will present her latest project, Let’s Rage, furthering her investigation into the intersection of personal and collective resistance.

Daysia Barr is a DC-based multidisciplinary artist whose work explores how we form our identities and position ourselves in society. Their work aims to teach the viewer about themselves, informed by Daysia's background in education and psychology. Each piece's goal is to inspire a moment of self-reflection for the viewer through interaction in the gallery or a takeaway that reminds them of the exhibition's themes long after it has been taken down. Daysia has a BFA from Mount St. Mary’s University and is pursuing a MFA in Fine Arts at George Washington University.

Starting on April 24th, Subverting Their Standards will become a part of our annual NEXT Festival.

The NEXT Festival showcases the talents and scholarship of graduating Corcoran students. The festival highlights work from across the visual, performance, & research programs. For a full listing of all NEXT Festival events check out our festival guide.