Installations
Psychology
In merging cognitive psychology and art, my work draws inspiration from the enigmatic Rorschach inkblot test and challenges its stereotypical diagnostic role. Instead, I repurpose the inkblot as a catalyst for creativity, using its form as a subject for artistic expression. In this artistic pursuit within cognitive psychology, this piece delves into the intricate landscapes of the human psyche, transforming the abstract into the tangible. Weaving together elements of cognitive psychology, artistic expression, and the iconic Rorschach test, I aim to surpass conventional art's confines. Through nuanced layers, I prompt introspection and invite viewers to confront their cognitive landscapes, fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of perception, creativity, and human cognition.
Women and Nature, the same Gaze
Inspired by the innovative work of Sarah Sze, this captivating installation showcases my previous painting, "Within," enveloped by a mesmerizing array of elements. Stage lights cast a dramatic glow, while lush foliage intertwines with doll parts, structures, ceramics and fragments of iconic female nude paintings from across art history. At the heart of the artwork, a speaker reverberates with a mix of female orgasmic sounds and screams, creating a visceral audio experience. Meanwhile, within the confines of the painting, an animated figure of a woman crawls, adding a dynamic layer to the composition. This multifaceted piece delves into the complex dynamics surrounding society's perception of female beauty. On one hand, there's a celebration of femininity evident through the use of foliage and references to famous paintings. Yet, juxtaposed against this appreciation is a stark portrayal of exploitation and objectification. The unsettling presence of sexualized imagery, visceral screams, and the chaotic arrangement of elements serve as a poignant commentary on the darker aspects of societal attitudes towards women. Through this provocative juxtaposition, the artwork challenges viewers to confront the dichotomy between admiration and exploitation in the portrayal of female beauty.
Boxed In
Inspired by Joseph Cornell, I built this box and designed an uncanny environment using various dried and fake folliage, a mixed media artwork, and two small sculpted individuals that looked like they just stumbled into this unknown world.
Reflection of Beauty
Playing with the concepts of reflection, beauty, entropy, and decay, I made a small room-like installation for people to be immersed in this uncanny, unsettling environment while they relate to the two masks in the cramped space.
A Sacred Object
To me, the paintbrush holds a sacred significance, evoking the thrill of creating strokes, colors, and textures that inspire veneration. In expressing this reverence, I've crafted an alluring holder reminiscent of Excalibur, showcasing the sacred paintbrush within easy reach. Drawing inspiration from Demonology and Phrenology, the artwork incorporates the seal of King Paimon from The Lesser Keys of Solomon, adding an air of foreboding and allure. Touching the brush promises knowledge of the arts, while its placement aligns with the Ancient Greeks' concept of associating veneration with the top of the brain.
Layers
For my project "LAYERS," I aim to deconstruct the human body into its fundamental layers, revealing our true essence: the brain and nervous system. These two elements control our bodies and minds, while the flesh and organs protect and sustain them. Most people do not perceive themselves this way, as we all have perceptions of our appearance and identity. However, fundamentally, we are all the same.
To convey this concept, I created five 9" x 12" acrylic paintings representing the skin, fat tissues, muscles, bones, and darkness, culminating in the revelation of our brain and nervous system. To create a sense of depth that ultimately uncovers the brain, I cut a hole in each painting. The size of the hole gradually diminishes from the skin painting to the darkness painting until it reaches the brain.
Inspired by Sarah Sze's installation art, I spaced these drawings by suspending them from a string, with the brain painting closest to the wall and each subsequent drawing approximately 6 inches apart (brain, darkness, muscles, fat, skin). Viewers can then glimpse "what we truly are" through the hole-in-the-skin painting.
Bust of an Eye
A horror-inspired sculpture I had made with themes of the complexities of the gaze and its effect.
