C H A R A C T E R I Z A T I O N O F M A N
A r t i s t S t a t e m e n t
The “Characterization of Man” series explores the ideological power of juxtaposing images to create social and political commentaries in the form of surreal individual portraits. Hidden thoughts and collective beliefs are exposed through the use of found elements and appropriated images in these mixed media works on paper.
These portraits are composed on shooting practice targets, symbolizing humans as the victims of forces beyond their control, yet often of their own making. These “persons” frequently exhibit intense facial expressions to communicate the unease, displacement, and anger distinctive to our times. Many are wearing glasses or goggles, signifying the separation they create to isolate themselves from the world around them, and faces are often placed inside television sets or astronaut helmets to reinforce this removal from reality. Some are depicted wearing headphones to block out the sounds of their disturbing environment.
The imagery is often over-laid on images from found papers, including scientific, technological, mathematical and governmental documents, charts, graphs, diagrams, blueprints, and maps, used to represent the outside world’s influence and pressure. Most pieces are monochromatic in black, white and ivory, reflecting the world’s bleak and colorless prospects, with metallic layers emphasizing the technical aspect of the world. These pieces, however, are often tempered with playful composition and imagery displaying a naïve innocence, such as retro images or fictitious signs.
12” x 21”
These portraits are composed on shooting practice targets, symbolizing humans as the victims of forces beyond their control, yet often of their own making. These “persons” frequently exhibit intense facial expressions to communicate the unease, displacement, and anger distinctive to our times. Many are wearing glasses or goggles, signifying the separation they create to isolate themselves from the world around them, and faces are often placed inside television sets or astronaut helmets to reinforce this removal from reality. Some are depicted wearing headphones to block out the sounds of their disturbing environment.
The imagery is often over-laid on images from found papers, including scientific, technological, mathematical and governmental documents, charts, graphs, diagrams, blueprints, and maps, used to represent the outside world’s influence and pressure. Most pieces are monochromatic in black, white and ivory, reflecting the world’s bleak and colorless prospects, with metallic layers emphasizing the technical aspect of the world. These pieces, however, are often tempered with playful composition and imagery displaying a naïve innocence, such as retro images or fictitious signs.
12” x 21”
