Vulnerability

Capturing emotion is everything. As a figurative artist, I find power in mundane actions. I want people to find the same emotion in themselves as those pictured in my work.

This 3D printed series is called Behind the Wall. Through my work I aim to empower women who have been socialized to feel vulnerable. After disengaging from an unhealthy relationship, all I could think of was how exposed and vulnerable I was; not only when I was alone, but also in small mundane actions. The moments to which others do not give a second thought, become a struggle; When alone in my room as I undress for the shower, in bed, or even just walking into a new room. Unable to extricate myself from the vulnerability, or have perspective on it all, I could only pray that others would not feel the same way. Thus, began my search for others feeling this same sense of emotional exposure during intimate moments alone. 

I focused on women; women in their late teens and early twenties who are just beginning to make a life, build a career, and develop crucial relationships. Often, WE do not have a guide book for these first great adventures. We share the resultant collapses and vulnerabilities as we begin to see ourselves with perspective in such novel, adult situations. In projecting them, I can see myself and other women sharing this moment of growth. 

Within my search, I began to study women through interviewing and photographing them in early adulthood. These women were asked a set of questions dealing with cultural belonging, sense of self, adversities faced, vulnerability, and perspectives on growth. From my research, I visually present my understanding. 

I use a 3D pen to draw my portraits for a multitude of reasons but the symbol of the pen itself has meaning. The specific pen that I use is meant as a childs toy. Adolescence is the most vulnerable time in a person's life. They are the most impressionable in this stage. This pen was picked out and given to me by men in my life whom did not take me seriously as an artist or adult. Much like the exposure of the women in my portraits, I have taken the object that was intended to be degrading and used it for empowerment.

Material: The plastic filament material used in this piece is reclaimed and recyclable. Not only was this chosen for environmentally and sustainable reasons, but to also enforce the message of a vulnerable cycle in the female psychological structure. This vulnerability comes to life then dies and is reborn in a new life, just like the plastic used.

Tool: This reclaimed plastic filament work is created through the use of a 3D pen. To use the 3D pen, I feed plastic filament through the back of the pen and allow it to melt and extrude from the front. As the plastic is extruding, it hardens within 20 seconds of leaving the pen. To keep myself organized, I draw my designs on pieces of canvas that I reuse then slowly print on top of the drawing. After I print the whole piece, I take a palette knife to then gently peel it off of my canvas.

Hanging : I intentionally display my work 2 inches from the wall for a variety of reasons. The first being, to show the audience or viewer that these are not simple drawings on a wall but a tangible object able to be moved. By hanging my work away from the wall, I am also able to create another layer of depth. From the shadows cast onto the wall, my pieces grow in concept and visual interest.