By using self-portraiture in a way that is uncanny and even humorous, I visually explore psychology, trauma, and recovery to address ideas of coping. It is a generational coping mechanism of sorts, turning pain into something palatable, and it has been a way to make difficult conversations—from familial trauma, control complexes, and interpersonal relationships—not only easier to address but more digestible for the viewer. I choose to transcend the stereotypes placed upon people by creating figures that can just ‘be,’ allowing them to exist within the nuanced realms of their own personal identities, whether in naturalistic or more surreal ways. Much of my work is created to show the normalcy within the chaos of human existence by yo-yoing between the feeling of control and lack thereof. That feeling isn’t monolithic, and I don’t want my work to be either.
No matter how my work takes shape, my intention is to create spaces for others to feel comfortable enough to relate to and truly feel the experiences and emotions they’ve had and have evolved from.