Artist Statement

In my sustained investigation, I explored the question, How do labels and societal perceptions influence self image? I completed eight pieces in total, all of which are expressive of the harsh reality of labeling and how that affects someone. For the first work, I portrayed a relationship that felt dangerous and confined by using charcoal, spray paint, and paper on cardboard. For work 2 I was inspired by the artist Kehinde Wiley as well as the ideas in the movements of Surrealism and Pop Art, and the idea of a false portrayal of love and how it manipulates young minds. Piece 3 was inspired by old fairy tales, and the feeling of being restricted. Similarly, work 4 portrays the self destruction resulting from judgements and constraints. Work 5 was done in a very expressive style using modeling paste to show inner turmoil and chaos in contrast with a plain outer world. Work 6 was done in a similar expressive style, though unlike work 5, it shows eventual liberation from these societal perceptions. Finally, the last two works demonstrate the feeling of being contained and controlled by another. All of my works focus on some aspect of the human body and the damaging effects of labels.