This painting showcases a transition of sorts between two seemingly different worlds. In the foreground is a figure wearing a mask on their head (possibly a theater mask), however it is sideways and doesn’t function to conceal their face. This figure is also holding a head in their cupped hands that appears to be of some royalty due to the fact that it features a crown and has a golden tone. Examining the figure further, we see the person is wearing a robe, possibly indicating that they are attempting to decide which role to ‘put on’ for the day. Shown in the background behind the figure is another room, which resembles the inside of a closet, and which almost appears to be in an entirely different building, or perhaps even in a different world. Duality is shown by two different styles of shoes, a more relaxed pair of Converse brand black sneakers as well as a pair of pristine white shoes, thus highlighting the theme of being forced to make a choice. Moving further into the ‘closet’ we begin to see different aspects of this other world, which begins to look like a scene from a church. Stained glass windows are accompanied by a piano which indicate a space of holiness. This is further emphasized when we look more closely at the figures being represented within the stained glass as they look like those found in a church. And yet, moving our gaze to the very back of the scene we see three red heads, depicted with horns and sharp fangs. In conjunction with the rest of the painting, these figures appear to be of a devilish nature, perhaps even evil. All of the aspects taken together serve to indicate a personal struggle, perhaps the struggle between the figure’s true being and what is perceived of them in a holy setting. The evil figures in the background of the painting play at the idea of the figure embodying something that is not approved of in the church, perhaps forcing the figure to mask a part of themselves or make a choice of what is most important to them.

Review by Caroline Vieregge

 

 

ARTIST STATEMENT

The most important aspect of my paintings is the creation of a particular visual narrative, usually surrounding an actual person’s perspective on the world. In this, I often use myself as a subject, dissecting my own relationship with my complex mixed race and my queer identity, though I also like to work with people who have taken time to understand their own identities, and who have found value in the perspective with which they view the world, which is why I invite friends and people from the queer community to serve as the subject of my paintings. I. When I work with other people as figure models, I first conduct interviews and then work closely with the person so that they have a hand in their depiction and in the message they want to get across through the visual representation I create. The goal of my paintings is therefore not only to represent their physical appearance through figurative rendition, but also to delve into each individual’s personal narrative. To arrive at this particular narrative, I begin by combining ideas and symbols to create a world of deep significance on the canvas. I play with the idea of creating an internal landscape, or a place where every element, object, layout and color choice has a meaning relating to the subject’s thoughts and feelings. I also use fabric collage in many of my art pieces, choosing textiles with designs, patterns and colors that represent different aspects of my cultural background, and queer identity, and as a way to add more visual interest and narrative into the painting. Many of these collages include hand dyed batik fabrics which my grandparents mailed me from their home in Penang, Malaysia. The choice to use figurative stylization in my art also comes from my South Asian heritage and it serves as a way of rebelling against Eurocentric painting traditions. Furthermore, it provides a means to connect to my own cultural roots as someone who grew up as a diaspora, on the other side of the world and away from half of my culture and people. I make art as a form of representation for people who have similar experiences in life to myself:, mixed race people, queer people, and people of unique ethnic backgrounds. I paint people who have had to take time to figure out where they stand in the world, and to find self-worth in a society that rarely acknowledges their importance. When a person views my art, I want them to question the meaning behind the images, and to find their own way to relate to the people and ideas represented in my paintings.

 

BIOGRAPHY

I was born in New York and went to high school in Rhode Island, and I have always lived close to the ocean, until moving to the Blue Ridge Mountains six years ago. I come from a mixed race family. My mom is Jewish, from New York and my dad is Indian and from Malaysia. I have always been interested in art of all mediums since I was a child, and I was inspired to focus on my creative abilities by the other artists in my family, my sister Cybil and my aunt Shaila. I identify as nonbinary or gender fluid and a lot of my artwork deals with themes of queer gender and sexuality, as well as ethnicity, identity and representation.