Olivia Sharkey

What if humans were mass generated? What deformities would occur? Would they have sentience? The exploration of these questions are seen through simplified, abstract figures mimicking human physiques. These figures are cutesy with a sense of creepiness that illustrates the possible issues of a generated human civilization focused on quantity rather than quality. Humor is weaved throughout this series with the open mouths, lopsided heads, pointed limbs, and other deformities these frankly dumb looking characters don. 

Altering the viscosity of paint, crushing up chalk pastel to apply it with a brush, using unconventional/found materials like flowers, and even the adoption of a piece of wall as a surface have all been steps in my process to help let go of control. By sacrificing this control, allowing the piece to develop itself has become a very familiar exercise. This appears in the drips, brushstrokes and smudges within each piece. Furthermore, I have also used big brushes or my bare hands while experimenting with materials and surfaces. Through this exploration I find new answers to my leading questions and allow myself to fall down rabbit holes of endless possibilities.