My artwork tends to cover the themes that are important to me, such as duality, morality, and social issues. I am also majoring in psychology for the same reason. I try to express the themes of duality with a mix of colors and styles. For example, a few of my drawing pieces involved me working with both charcoal and pastels as part of the same piece. I used charcoal and pastels to put emphasis on specific details or make the contrast strong. The feeling of dual parts was a common theme that can be found within my artwork. I try to make the emotions and symbolism appear in the piece.
A consistent theme that can be found in this set of art pieces is the connection to differing perspectives. Five alternate perspectives are being referenced within each of these pieces and explored within the context of the space. The five themes are a justice bordering on vigilantism, a self-understood journey with the light in the darkness, the winds of free and open change, nations experiencing peace with tradition being upheld, and a collective understanding of all emotions and experiences through neutral observation. Justice is defined by strong and sharp design, weapons or red colors. Tradition relies on a palette of gold (referencing riches and power) purple (referencing royalty) and blue ( to reference peace). Additional colors reference aspects associated with the other nation’s leaders. Darkness utilizes charcoal and relies on light and darkness from within the piece and a white dandelion as a symbol for recovery. Change relies on the color of orange and movement. Finally, Neutrality is composed of elements used in all four of the other sections. Sometimes it borrows the design but other times it utilizes the summarization of those themes. Overall, the piece references all of the ideologies in one fell swoop.
I know that I do not approach tasks the same as others thanks to my autism. My brain focuses on details. Sometimes when people try to teach me something, I just can't approach it the way I am being taught because my brain works differently. For instance, I can’t start writing by using an outline. If an outline is required, I write first, then can pull an outline out. I write presentations by writing out the speaker’s notes then pulling bullet points. The same is true when I begin an artwork. I always start with the details because that is what I find most interesting. The whole picture may or may not ever come into focus while I am working on it. In terms of process, I enjoy thinking about and designing pieces. I also like the finished projects, but I don't always enjoy the execution of the art itself. I enjoy certain parts, depending on the medium. I may really enjoy creating one particular detail of a piece.
I am a student at Moravian University who plans to graduate in Fall 2022. I am double majoring in Studio Art and Psychology. To me, my art is a chance to explore the issues within this world through a public setting. I see these ideas and beliefs and I get the chance to expose these concepts to those who are willing to listen to them. My narrative is based on these inherently different beliefs. Everyone has their own interpretations of what the solutions to the issue are. The concepts of neutrality, justice, law, darkness, pessimism, optimism, diversity, inclusion, tradition, freedom, change, and choice are explored throughout the pieces. I want people to stop and think about these topics in a more casual setting. For thinking about these ideas allows the viewer to consider and improve their worldview. I just want people to be their best selves by examining views and improving upon their own.