Artist Statement
My charcoal drawings explore the relationship between the obsession with the objectification of the human form vs the raw reality of human biology. My work focuses on the body and all its beautiful, unique, and ever-changing components. Within my work I also focus on intersectional feminist themes centered on body positivity, empowerment, objectification, challenging social expectations/norms, and so on. I often use my own physical form in my work as a way to confront the viewer and to start a conversation on these topics- the idea of sacrifice for discussion. In my most recent work, I use myself along with people in my life that I am close to in order to reach/relate to a wider audience. I’m highlighting a few types of impression or “stress point” on the skin that are hyper fixated on, especially for women. For example, society primarily focuses on and criticizes stretch marks on women even though they are very common for all people. I’m celebrating the beauty of these so-called “imperfections” on multiple people to emphasize their commonality while creating a space for realistic beauty representation not only for female-identifying people but for everyone. The use of charcoal and the continuous manipulation I put it through to create these drawings represent the physical and mental stress we put our bodies through on a regular basis. My attention to detail, choice of cropping, and
close-up realistic rendering of the skin help to emphasize these narratives and bring the viewer’s attention to what society deems “undesirable.” I’m pulling the veil back on the idealization of the form, and shining a light on the natural biology of the human form. If I can help to start even the slightest bit of a discussion around these issues and help people feel more confident and/or comfortable in their own skin, then I have been successful.
