Psyche Inspired: Julia Stephens

Person with dark hair, wearing a black top and key-shaped earring, smiling at the beach with ocean in the background

Institution: Florida State University

Major: BFA Studio Art & Creative Writing

Psyche Inspired Class: 2025-2026

The form of the asteroid and the spacecraft of “psyche” are combined into one hybrid unit. It is drawn in ink atop a colored watercolor background based on the map of the optical albedo of the asteroid which is a measurement of the reflection of sunlight.

Reflection

Julia Stephens

December 8th, 2025

Major: Studio Art and Creative Writing

Genre/Medium: Watercolor and ink on paper

About the work:

Reflection is a piece that explores the psyche mission’s goal of discovery in regard to helping understand our own earth’s core and how it parallels the mythical story of Cupid and Psyche. The original myth is about a reveal and discovery of something unknown being close to familiarity and humanity. Psyche is reaching out to Cupid as we are reaching out to this planetesimal. With both the asteroid and the spacecraft living under the title of Psyche, I thought it was fitting that the mission happened to be almost a self-discovery. Psyche is unveiling a secret of herself in a way. We are exploring Psyche to understand more about ourselves. This concept is highlighted in the combination of the asteroid and the spacecraft meshed into one atop a colored background based on the map of the optical albedo of the asteroid which is a measurement of the reflection of sunlight.

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Attached to a white translucent ribbon are three clear acrylic discs with the Psyche Inspired logo laser cut in a radial pattern on them. Two of the discs are the same size with one of them being larger and in between the two. They lead upwards with an array of decorative beads and wire to a paper form representing Psyche made up of clear vellum and printed raw images captured by the spacecraft.

Essence

Julia Stephens

February 16th, 2026

Major: Studio Art & Creative Writing

Genre/Medium: acrylic sheets, ribbon, wire, vellum, beads, paper

About the work:

Although we have taken data and distant observations to generate possible models, we don’t truly know what the Psyche asteroid looks like. We only have an “essence” of what to expect. With this art piece I wanted to highlight the beauty in this uncertainty and discovery to come. There is a definition in shapes and form within the sculpture, but the materiality is transparent, representing the idea of leaving room for interpretation of what may actually come to be true. I wanted to play with how the journey to Psyche is just as important and beautiful in shaping the way we will view the asteroid upon arrival. The form of Psyche at the top is made using translucent vellum and printed raw images from the Psyche Spacecraft cameras. I laser cut three acrylic discs that spiral upwards toward the asteroid motioned by the wire forms and beads. With the term “psyche” meaning soul I did not only want to allude to uncertainty of a final product, but also feeling “essence” as the hopeful feeling that comes with the mission that gives Psyche a further depth.

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The Psyche badge with no words on it.

Psyche Inspired

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Psyche Inspired