2D WORK
Decorated Impermanence is a collection of narrative works using symbolism for context. Images I am currently working with include birds, skulls, insects, butterflies, meat, flowers, shells, eggs and fish.
The owl and nightjar are nocturnal birds and considered signs of death in many cultures. The crow and vulture have negative associations with death. The cardinal is believed to be deceased loved ones visiting. The sparrow is considered a positive omen.
Flowers have a variety of meanings depending on the type of flower, in most of my paintings they represent life. The skeleton and skulls indicate death in many cultures but the perspectives on death are different. The gold leaf depicts wealth and what will be left behind (European culture, memento mori). The butterfly expresses the fragility of life in European culture. In Buddhism the shell is associated “with water, the source of fertility” A Dictionary of Symbols by J.E. Cirlot. The moth is a representation of death in many cultures. Insects have a variety of meanings depending on the culture you are looking at but for the paintings they currently stand for decay. Meat is a symbol of the body and wealth (European culture). In Judaism the fish represents fertility. In many cultures the egg signifies fertility.
Each of the above objects has different meanings depending on the culture you are researching; this is just a simplified breakdown of some of those definitions.
I am currently referencing A Dictionary of Symbols by J.E. Cirlot, The Complete Language of Flowers by S. Theresa Dietz and The Secret Language of Symbols by David Fontana for the meanings of different images in order to bring narrative to the paintings.
Studying different cultures brings diverse viewpoints to my work while allowing me to learn about new ideas and perspectives. I mix the symbols and meanings from different cultures depending on the narrative of the work.
3D WORK
Adorned/Abject explores superficiality, hidden meanings and the façade. I am interested in combining highly decorated objects with abject elements.
They explore ideas of superficiality, hidden meanings, the façade and the abject. The fragility of the material is an important element to the work, emulating the fragility of the society constructs they are inspired by.
Propaganda images and videos are visual inspirations for the work, including children’s books, parades, pamphlets and magazines from different time periods and cultures.
The ceramic installations are made up of ceramic miniatures in large groupings, they vary in concepts but the use of the window references the façade.
Although the 2D and 3D works have different concepts they influence and inspire each other allowing me the creative freedom I need in the studio.