A Diary at the Reflection Pool, 2024
This work was first introduced in a symbiotic relationship with the Polaroid Diary; First Edition as a space for the audience to sit and engage with the work while finding space for themselves to exist in the artist’s mind.
The artist collaborated with long-time friend Jazzy Okami to create a moment of cinematic peace for the viewer. Okami aided in the artist’s vision by creating animated scenes inspired by the likes of Studio Ghibli, (early) Pokémon, and Sailor Moon scattered with references to the artist’s love of Digimon and a tribute to a Powerpuff Girls inspired aesthetic. These aesthetics collide with scenes abstracted from the artist’s lived experience infused with fantasized images to create a look into the artist’s mind.
These video projections are played amongst a small installation set to stimulate a nostalgia-informed pop aesthetic version of mid-westestern backyard summer. Infused with the media based story of the Polaroid diary, the artist hopes to take the viewer into their imagination to a place of self-reflection.
Polaroid Diary; First Edition
This was the start of an exploration into a fascination of keeping a diary made up of personal polaroids and QR codes that link the artist’s personal photos with streams of content. Content used to enhance the story’s experience further includes the likes of television clips, Tik Toks, music, and the artist’s personal writing.
The work is held in consumer made polaroid photo albums to recreate the alluring nostalgia-roma of family photo albums and Pokémon trading card binders from once youth. This early edition reflects upon the life of a twenty year old who has some unpacking to do from youthful tragedies amidst a present world in pandemic chaos. This edition emphasizes a young midwestern queer’s desire for fictional escapes while enduring life. The work is an abstract physical archive of media that the artist feels reflects their perception of the world.
Don’t Lose Sight of Hope
This work was inspired by the grim nature of the 2020s and coming into adulthood in a reality where a future feels highly unlikely due to tragically real global crises one would only think is bad Sci-fi. This piece was motivated to remind us that hope may be hard to have and it’s easy to lose sight of it, but it's essential to make this reality better. The piece features a shooting star in a heart shaped sky to reference hoping the nights’ sky brings you a shooting star to be able to make a wish. A wish that will change things.
A hidden quote is featured on the piece; “today’s tears are tomorrow’s strength.” The English translation of lyrics from AKB48’s song Shoujotachi Yo. A reminder that tomorrow is a new day and that today will end.
Photos by McKenzie Fitz.
Photos by McKenzie Fitz.
Transformation, 20
This piece was inspired by the concept of growing outside one’s comfort zone, and unlike the rest of my thesis work: this work has gone through so many iterations that it is far from the original concept (minus the fuzzy heart). With this piece I decided to push myself to change up the methods in which I create, and the choices I typically make with my work. It was all about taking risks, and trying new things in order to foster a process of growth, and transformation.
soft sculpture fabricated by Selena Dornfeld.
Space for the Inner Child
This piece developed through learning the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with the inner child, especially a wounded inner child. When not taken care of properly, the child will find its way out through whatever means necessary, and oftentimes will act out. In order to maintain healthy boundaries you have to create space for them and hold value to that relationship with the child inside of you.
The resin acts as a preservative, while the pedestal acts as a signal of importance. The stars and overall iconography adds the expression of the inner child. While the neon highlights this bond and how it can extend beyond its form to impact its surroundings.
Validation
Inspired by trying to understand what Validation meant and why I craved it. There are a plethora of reasons as to why I did, but it didn’t matter. I was under the impression it was a negative until I had a conversation with my psychiatrist. She explained to me that validation could be a good thing which led to not fully understanding what this feeling I craved meant.
The form of this piece references the planet of Saturn to create something we understand as a presence in the universe yet don’t fully grasp. Saturn in astrology often influences how we structure our identity through societal ideals and validation is a need for societal approval that shapes our realities.
The use of the mirrored acrylic blocked off by the neon is to play with an idea of internal and external validation. The viewer has to work their way around to view their reflection and when they do they are met with the word ‘Slay’. The popular slang term means to do something exceptionally well, so truly the most rewarding yet simple term out there. So slay.
Good Enough, 2022
This work is about struggling with feelings of inadequacy due to parental and adolescent trauma. This work served as practice of breaking a desire for perfection with the need to accept things as they are.
Referencing this concept of a perfect environment through heavenly imagery, the imperfection is met with the heart filled with broken glass (otherwise known as crackle) and disproportionate angelic wings. Soaring in clouds of polyfilled cover cardboard and reflective vinyl adhesive the work is free of the concept of perfection.
An Emotional F**k You (2022 version)
This work was brought on by a few conflicting relationships and finding humor in the messy fallouts. Resembling a middle finger, the animated neon flickers on and off in order to “flip the bird” and provide the notion of a healthy “fuck you” to those who deserve it.
