An Untitled Senior Individualized Project

Abstract

This paper details a series of paintings and drawings that explore the relationships between identity, disenfranchised grief, and abuse. Aimed to make viewers feel uncomfortable as they are often positioned as the viewer in situations of exploitation, this work explores how one understands the world after growing up through trauma. Inspired by my memories of teenage angst while trying to understand instances of abuse, these works explore my own coming-of-age experience while poking fun at daily instances of power. Ultimately, these works are humorous, provocative, and homoerotic. Using 2-D mediums such as Sharpie on cardboard and paint on canvas, I aimed to loosely-render subjects in my composition to create works that feel hap-hazard. This captures angst and resistance towards traditional power structures. I also believe that the loose rendering of work aids in paintings feeling raw and almost guttural to the viewer; given which, further convey messages of angst and anger throughout my work. Furthermore, the works explore power with the use of consistent characters throughout my body of work. These characters act as pieces of a puzzle that viewers can follow along with to understand the narrative I am telling and reflect on the idea of a victim and perpetrator. In this paper I will detail the narrative and conceptual ideas behind my work, my artistic influence and sources of inspiration, and the choice of materials throughout my Senior Individualized Project.