Artist Statement

Through my work, I am translating the written word, oftentimes complex, into an image with which the reader is able to comprehend my critique or analysis of modern culture. I aim to bridge the gap between what an essayist conveys and the stroke of a painter, both of whom I believe are working towards a similar goal. I accomplish my final pieces through altering photographs, advertisements, and the meanings portrayed by every day life, in order to delve deeper into what I find interesting and problematic. Using a minimalist approach, I attempt to capture the style of work that advertisement and branding uses in order to berate us into daily submission. Iconic symbols can have a whole new meaning when rearranged or placed in a foreign setting, often challenging the viewer to see them in a new way. Consumerism and technology take on a new, dimmer light when placed in an unfamiliar context. I am inspired not only by other artists such as Barbara Kruger, who combines social commentary and photographs or drawings in order to create a recognizable and compelling piece, but also by writers like Tom Wolfe, a novelist and essayist that directly disputes and satirizes common social norms. My final works therefore are produced in the style of the pop era, embodying bold and clever advertising campaigns in order to effectively convey my thoughts in a way that is intriguing, yet simple.