I have struggled with emotional
communication all my life so making art has become a way for me to express my
troubles with others in a healthy way. Putting my emotions out into the world
in a way that feels valid and productive is helpful for me. Art has become a
major aspect of my life as therapy for my depression and anxiety.
I am interested in psychology,
emotional communication, existentialist ideas, and raising awareness against
mental health stigmas in society. Artists of inspiration include Bruce Conner,
Nan Goldin, and Yayoi Kusama. These artists produce emotional-based work in
different ways that I find interesting. My art relates to how my mental state
is affected by my relationship with others and myself and vice versa.
The materials I use include ink,
acrylic paint, plaster, thread, wood, and rope. My art takes form in 2-D,
sculpture, and a blend of the two. I choose to work with these materials
because they can be manipulated for different purposes. Rope and thread
represent my attachments, plaster is both malleable but rigid depending on how
it’s used, and ink adds a contrast I enjoy aesthetically. I prefer performance
and sculptural work because I feel that it is more interactive with my audience
and myself. Performance gives my art an extra layer of interaction and depth
because it brings out the emotion I am communicating to life by instilling it
in the audience.
As an artist, I want to produce
work that my audience can relate to. The purpose of my art is to decrease the
stigma surrounding mental health and to use my talent to show society that even
people suffering from mental illnesses can be just as productive and
successful.
