Field Work Term Spotlight: Aliza Khan
Aliza Khan '26 studies Visual Arts, including Architecture and Sculpture, at Bennington. For their summer 2025 Field Work Term, Khan is working as an intern for Yasue Maetake, a New York City-based Japanese sculptor.
How does your Field Work Term relate to your studies at Bennington?
My internship with Yasue Maetake directly ties in to my studies in Sculpture at Bennington. I'm gaining hands-on experience with power tools, working with a diverse range of materials, and assisting in fabrication of pieces, which strengthens my understanding of structure, scale, and form.
What does a typical day at your FWT site look like?
A typical day at the studio begins with prepping my workspace and gathering tools and materials. I assist Yasue with ongoing projects, which can include tasks such as cutting, grinding, and sanding material; assembling sculptural components; and experimenting with form and balance.
Yasue uses a wide variety of materials in her work, including resins, organic materials (seashells, crab and lobster carapaces, coral skeletons, etc.), metal, rocks/crystals, wood, and more. Each day at the studio is unique. Some days involve more physical fabrication using power tools, while other days are slower and more detail oriented, focusing on structural adjustments or surface treatments.
I also assist with documentation and studio maintenance, and I occasionally sit in on conversations about upcoming exhibitions and logistics.
What has surprised or challenged you most about your Field Work Term position?
I'm given a lot of independence and creative freedom with how I choose to approach certain pieces.
The work can be quite repetitive at times, having to circle back and add or change the same element several times until it feels right.
What do you hope to do after Bennington?
For my next Field Work Term, I hope to gain experience in an architecture firm and expand my skills in design, structure, and materiality. Or perhaps I'll do an independent study in Architecture.