Monday, June 21, 2010

Noel Fielding/ the Mighty Boosh Tribute


Acrylic
22x42

In Memory of Grandma Brittian

Pastels
18x24

Sophie the Pug


Pet Portrait
Acrylic 8X8


I Love Bananas!



Thesis Show

completed in Pastels

I Love Cats!



Graduating Thesis Show & Artist Statement

Why do we create metaphors and visual connections to the human genital other than the real terms and images? Why do sexual education scenes in young adult movies involve bananas being used as models for penises? These are some of the questions I will be exploring in my body of work. I approach these themes with humor, contradiction, and metaphors.
If a banana can represent a penis by placing a condom on it, what else can? I will be representing male genitals with suggestive shaped fruits and vegetables in-cased in condoms to reinforce the contradiction. By continuing to explore the visual connection with human genitals, I will also be cutting open fruits to represent the vagina. Open fruits have been represented in art history to define female genitals and female reproduction. Artists such as Audrey Flack, Theresa Dunn, and Dutch still life artists also explored female genitals with images of open fruit.
These pieces are executed in watercolor, combined with color pencil for detail. The images are on blank white Winsor & Newton paper to enhance the color of the fruits and vegetables. The technique is approached delicately, to portray beautiful images but also absurdity.
In addition to this body of work, I will combine the figure with visual connections and metaphors. I want these images to be humorous and have a tongue and cheek quality to them. My intention is for these paintings and drawings to represent the absurd conservative outlook in our culture relating to human genitals. It is okay to laugh about human genitals, but it is more important to be educated on the proper terms and meanings.