Embedded Files
This was an exhibition done to complete my IB Higher Level Visual Arts course. I needed to create an exhibit out of my artwork, and they all needed to correlate in medium or theme. My theme was LGBTQ+ experiences. Higher-level students needed 8-11 pieces, so I chose 8 of my pieces to display.
Metamorphosis
Printmaking, watercolor, broken glass jar, and hot glue.
6.7in x 7.5in x 6.5in
In the LGBTQ+ community, there's a box placed around queer people to conform and/or stay quiet. You have to break out of the box to show your true colors and fly away to freedom. When making this piece, the jar I purchased broke, so instead of getting a new jar, I incorporated it into my artwork. The butterflies are breaking out of confinement.
Beautiful Suffocation
Acrylic paint on canvas, dried flowers, and hot glue.
16in x 20in
With this painting, viewers are meant to see how repression can kill someone—specifically, women and minorities. The corset is suffocating the woman in the painting, and the flowers are dying like she is. I bought a bouquet to dry out in order to create the look of dead flowers as a symbol of the woman dying. The repression is killing her.
Green With Envy
Digital photography
10.5in x 8.5in
Green With Envy is meant to be a piece that captures the suppressed rage, frustration, and pain that queer couples feel when thinking about the “normalcy” straight couples experience. The jealousy and envy that queer couples feel toward straight couples being accepted throughout society creates a build-up of emotion. The eye I had edited to glow green represents the feeling queer relationships feel when gazing upon straight couples.
Who I Am
Digital painting
17.5in x 7in
Inspired by Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits, Who I Am is meant to be a piece that captures the struggle I have experienced when learning to love who I am. Self-love had become difficult for me after coming out with the number of unsupportive people that had previously been in my life. Learning how to undo their hate and appreciate myself has been a hard journey, though, this self-portrait is one of the first steps.
Hidden Truth
Acrylic paint on canvas, wire, and digital photography.
Series of 6, each 1597px x 2000px
Despite how damaging it can be, a good amount of queer youth has to cage who they truly are inside themselves. With this piece, I want viewers to understand how having to hide can hurt somebody. It can make them slowly burn up until they’re nothing but ash and repressed feelings.
Heart Strings
Digital photography
Series of 4, each 6in x 6in
Understanding and untangling the complicated knot that sexuality is can be difficult. People will try to tug you in one direction or another, while others may cut you down, but in the end, it's your knot to untangle and figure out. It may take healing and repair, but eventually, you will figure it out. Outsiders need to understand that untangling is difficult in the first place, therefore getting involved may not always be helpful.
Down To Your Bones
Digital painting
7in x 6in
Another self-portrait of sorts, this piece explains that I am who I am all the way down to my bones. The hummingbird represents me, flying free because I’m able to express my sexuality. The skeleton colored like the bisexual flag represents that my sexuality is who I am, and I am not changing because it is rooted as deep as my bones.
Uplift
Wooden blocks, acrylic paint, spray paint, and doll hands
3.5 in x 3.5 in x 7.5in
Uplift is a positive representation of what happens when communities come together and support each other. I bought Barbie’s and cut off their arms in order to arrange them to look like they’re helping to hold each other up. When you support each other, you will win by reaching your goal. Every color represents a different meaning. Red- power, pink- love, orange- community, yellow- happiness, gold- success.
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