ARTIST STATEMENT
When I go into a public space, the first thing I do is search for signs of past visitors. Whether it’s writing on a wall, notes written in the bathroom stall, or even a heart and two initials carved into a tree, I am constantly interested in observing how humans interact with each other and their environment throughout time. Whether it is through expression or objects left behind, humans are constantly telling secrets about themselves. I find myself drawn to depicting the presence and absence of humans as an exploration into my own personal experiences of love, loss, confusion, longing, and identity. As I move forward with my evolving exploration of exploring identity and stories, I am drawn to windows as a visual means of life. Whether the figure is present or not, the objects in our homes tell us more about others than their portrait. I use oil paint to show this other style of portrait- the portrait of our space. Softly blending the paint, I often blur the inside of the windows. Just as in a real window, we aren’t given a clear view into this person’s home. Only glimpses of objects we must put together to form a story. In my work, I want to capture and question the very experiences and secrets that each of us keep. I am beginning to explore what happens if the human figure does not tell us everything but leaves the viewer questioning. As my interest in sociology increases, I am fascinated with the reality that everyone we see, especially those we may never speak to, has their own unique stories, experiences, relationships, tragedies, and triumphs, that I will never get to learn; with my work, I want to give that small insight into my own. |