“THIS LOOKS LIKE A MESS”

Crayon on paper, 76.2 x 76.2 cm, April 2019

This piece is perfectly described by my father’s reaction to it: “This looks like a mess.” However, although upon first glance, this piece is an unorganized combination of images and designs, there is something more harmonious with it. The wings at the top of the piece aim to represent a freedom of expression and its scale signals a confidence in one’s ability. The tiger eyes connect to my theme of confrontation but I am at the same time confronting my struggle of making lifelike work; the eyes and the face are not schematic, as they aim to challenge my own established habit of defaulting to a lack of detail and shying away from making such art. The process of drawing each subject in the piece required a significant attention to detail and therefore pushed me outside of my comfort zone. Yes, it might be a mess, but it was a necessary mess to grow as an artist.