It’s common to suppress emotions that are difficult to process - to run from what we fear. No matter how inescapable the truth, denial is eminent. We sweep these painful realities under rugs leaving obvious mounds that we insist on walking around. We hang paintings over emotional holes in the walls of our hearts, being careful to never shift them and expose the abyss. But no matter how much we try, these mounds will grow, and holes will widen until we address them. No matter how far we run, the distance will never be enough and our legs will grow weak.
The Covid pandemic granted me a moment to confront unaddressed trauma. Being forced into constant close proximity with family allowed me to view them in ways that before seemed impossible. I noticed how past traumas had manifested themselves in the present actions, both within them and myself. I was able to bridge gaps in our personalities, sighting that we all shared similar strengths and weaknesses as a result of generational conditioning and environment. Nature and nurture personified. This internal tethering ushered in a deeper connection with my family, both past and present.
Family Matters is an exploration in confronting generational/familial trauma. Acting as both a voyeur and the subject, I begin to unearth family skeletons with curiosity and sensitivity —— Holding space for unnurtured pain, and honoring the resulting scars. Inspired by family photographs, I collage various elements of my image on to stylized depictions of family members to illustrate empathy for these experiences and understanding for the traits we may share. Matters once kept between family are being laid bare, so that our experiences are no longer seen as a point of shame, but rather a sign of honorable resilience and strength.
In Council With My Morality
Acrylic, sand and collage on canvas
46 x 46 inches
2020
Ghosts of Generations Past
Acrylic, watercolour, sand and collage on canvas
58 x 46 inches
2020
Puttin’ On Appearances
Acrylic, Gold Ink, Glitter and collage on canvas
52 x 52 inches
2020
Solidarity II
Acrylic, sand, crepe paper, and collage on canvas
48 x 58 in
2020
Solidarity III
Acrylic, watercolor, gold ink, colored pencil, and collage on canvas
52 x 40 inches
2020
Spirit Guides
Acrylic, Sand, gold ink, gold foil and collage on canvas
30 x 48 inches
2020
The Art of Dissociation
Acrylic, watercolor, sand, glitter and collage on canvas
46 x 46 inches
2020
I Keep A Photo of You in My Reflection
Acrylic, fabric and collage on canvas
36 x 48 inches
2020
Her Voice Scared Demons and Calmed My Cries
Acrylic, watercolor, glitter, gold foil, fabric and collage on canvas
30 x 48 inches
2020
How Do I Perfectly Mimic A Voice I Hardly Remember
Acrylic, sand, fabric, crepe paper, gold foil and collage on canvas
56 x 44 inches
2020
Sweethearted Love
Acrylic, glitter, fabric, and collage on canvas
36 x 48 inches
2020
Self Portrait IV (Slackness Masks The Sadness)
Acrylic, watercolor, glue and collage on paper
30 x 40 inches
2020
Self Portrait III (Nothing But The Best)
Acrylic, watercolor, gold foil and collage on canvas
30 x 40 inches
2020
Self Portrait II (You’re Different, And That’s Okay)
Acrylic, crepe paper and collage on canvas
30 x 40 inches
2020
Self Portrait I (She Also Hated the Dresses She Made Me Wear)
Acrylic, crepe paper, and collage on canvas
30 x 40 inches
2020