Respite Series Statement

By depicting figurative and natural elements 'in progress,' Respite sheds the constricting idea that people must be perfect to be worthy of appreciation. My work aims to mend the emotional struggle of building identity by superimposing personal images from memory, associations, and popular culture on deconstructed portraiture. The self forges meaningful connections to the world by nurturing its characteristics from the information it absorbs. Each piece evokes aspects of my personality. Mixed media figures are simultaneously obscured and revealed, interrupted and facilitated, dismantled and reborn. 'Finished' or fully rendered images blend with 'unfinished' line drawings embodying the idea of developing identity as an indefinite, imperfect process. Comprised of lyrics and prose, the titles hint at the turbulent experience of self-discovery. As the images overlap, their interactions are ever-changing with each figure's borders being redrawn and reimagined.

Each piece in this series corresponds to a song for the mood it conjures, the lyrics the painting titles reference, and the connections I draw between art and music. Below is a list of the works and their selected songs. For your convenience, click the link below listen to the complete playlist.

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Lullaby...............................................................................Arsonist’s Lullaby by Hozier
Ascension (Syringa Vulgaris)..............................................Ascension by Mac Miller
Finder.......................................Sniper at the Gates of Heaven by The Black Angels
Pulled Punches...........................................................Going Out West by Tom Waits
This Devil......................................................................................Nightcall by Kavinsky
On My Way (Back Home).....................................Coupe deVille by Shakey Graves
We’ll Survive (By Telling Lies)...................................I’ve Rationed Well by July Talk
Can’t See...................................................................................No Comprende by Low
7th House Hunger.....................................................Big Bad Wolf by Shakey Graves
Midnight in Heaven................................................Sign of the Times by Harry Styles
Not Alone (Anymore)................................................Ancient Light by Allman Brown
Laugh (Until I Die)..................................................................................Glory by Bastille
You Don’t Say (What You Feel)................................Doses and Mimosas by Cherub​

Listen to the complete playlist by clicking here.