Artist Statement
My work delves into the construct of personal identity and its development through the lens of childhood, exploring the 'personas' we create to conceive and relate to ourselves, as well as to relate outward to the world. It seeks to explore aspects of the human experience with a particular focus on the idea of 'coming of age'—not only as a child-to-adult concept, but extrapolated to its countless iterations between the different roles we play throughout life, reflecting its ever-changing nature. It addresses questions of who we are, who we’ve been, and who we can become.
These themes are currently explored through work clothing, toys, scribbles, ties, and other childlike evocative objects, forming a symbolic language that pervades my work. Through this use of symbolism and composition, I create and present subjective spaces marked by the emotions and inner experiences of my subjects.
My work aims to resonate with viewers, regardless of their personal circumstances. Through drawing and painting, I explore personal change and the inner tension it may provoke. Figurative in nature, my work expands upon an objective reality through the deconstruction of realism and the integration of different styles of depiction for subjects and elements, serving as a conduit for the exploration of meaning, themes, and ideas. Overall, it is concerned with the inner landscapes of the self and our relationship to ourselves as individuals.