ISA FEBBO

Biological Autobiography

My exhibition aims to explore the relationship between self and external surroundings, nature and nurture, and how they lend to the presentation versus perception of identity. It is an investigation between my own biology and the formation of my identity. Conveying themes such as childhood, paternal and maternal relationships, and the definition of an identity as an individual among the collective. The pieces include themes from both human and natural sciences that give the exhibition an air of scientific observation of my own sense of self. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Chuck Close and his method of fingerprint portraits and Agnes Cecil and her watercolor methods of manipulating color, as well as Erwin Blunfeild’s methods of digital portraiture.  

I have chosen to work with acrylic on a canvas, laser cutting printing, wire, and yarn. Each of these techniques lends to the overall sensual experience of the exhibition giving it an interactive air that engages the audience’s senses. I selected a wide variety of materials in order to introduce the themes through various translations of perspectives. The overall presentation is intended to be relatable to the collective audience while portraying my personal experience. The pieces are arranged in what would constitute a chronological order from childhood to adolescence sprinkled with surrealist interpretations of sensations that contribute to forming an identity. Additionally, they are grouped by symbolic motifs and conceptual understanding. Central to the exhibition is the rendition of parental portraits that compose the theme of nature versus nurture, and the recurring motif of DNA and fingerprints. The tangle between specificity and generality of the experience of finding oneself is meant to invoke the discussed theme of identity and portray a sense of self-awareness in the audience's eyes. 

The eight pieces included in this exhibition bring together the concept of ‘nature vs. nurture’ through my own interpretation of biological and anthropological understanding. The pieces “Essence” and ‘Geneoletree’ portray the motif of DNA as the building blocks of biological identity and how my external experiences are constructed by genetic material and embellished by conscious thought, emotion, and expression. ‘Print’ and ‘prints’ are both examples of the symbolism behind individual fingerprints and the manifestation of the mark that my actions leave and the persona they create in the perception of those around me. These four pieces constitute the biological aspect of identity present within this exploration through different types of media,  in other words, my ‘nature.’The ‘Loved by…’ Series constituted of three pieces, is meant to exemplify the interpersonal connections I have formed throughout my life as a result of the biological identity I was given, which is the complementary concept of ‘nurture’. The conceptual theory of ‘nature vs. nurture’ is brought together through the “Perception” piece. This laser engraving depicts my parents, who apart from giving me biological life, formed how I view the relationships I create with those around me. 

In its totality, the exhibition is meant to be a biological autobiography that encapsulates my understanding of identity both internal and external. It is intended to portray a universal experience of finding oneself through life experiences and coming to terms with the parts of oneself that cannot be controlled. While the essence you are born with cannot be changed, how it is carried throughout the world and how it interacts with its environment is subject to one’s own will. It is meant to build an image of self and surrounding perception through the formation of a collective portrait of my identity.