Inner Thoughts

The artworks created all link to the concept chosen, Inner Thoughts. All the artworks are created to convey different emotions as well as how certain situations can make one feel. It is a more personal theme yet there are some artworks such as “3” which may relate more to the general audience. The reason for this theme is not only is it a relatable topic, but emotions can feel so personal that it is rarely discussed. This is why presenting it in the form of visual arts can make it less frightening topic to discuss.

This is especially shown through “Don’t Flatter Me” and “Confinement!”, as “Confinement!” is darker and shows how I have personally felt when I was angry and frustrated due to not being able to speak up. “Don’t Flatter Me” illustrates how sometimes people can have no cares about what other people think and I feel like people focus more on the emotions felt when insecure, than the little bouts of confidence one might experience. The three gives the audience a different perspective and a look through the eyes of the other person. Those two works are placed close to each other in the exhibition as they both have a bolder aesthetic than the other 2 and it gives an initial impact as it would be one of the first things people see.

The polyptych “3-polyptych” stands alone as I feel that it is not similar to any other paintings in terms of aesthetics and I chose to divide the works by aesthetic and seeing what work compliments what work. The way the polyptych was assembled is one of the most crucial aspects as it has to show the different emotions emanating their auras onto the female. It is also meant to be quite straightforward to make it easier for people to understand and relate to. “Eye and Fish” is the most interpretive piece in my exhibition. The light color palette is meant to give the piece a dreamlike aura which ties in with the concept of the eye being a gateway into the mind and the rest being in a different place.

“Divided” is a still life oil painting and the objects in the painting are all objects that are meant to contain. The cup, book, and jar, symbolizes the mind and the contrasting colors of blue and red are meant to represent the conflicting thoughts that every individual has.

The two portraits I have been placed at the end of my exhibition as I want them to be the lasting image one gets from my exhibition. This is due to mostly the quality of the works. “oneirataxia” is meant to symbolize all of the chaos that might reside in one’s mind as well as the holes and the more fantasies and bad thoughts. Whilst “engulfed” is meant to symbolize the effect of social media on one’s mental state with the constant want to fly away hence the butterflies and the ability for us to ignore the societal standards yet some of us choose to sink deeper into this need to be ‘perfect’; Femininity-Fruit, on the other hand, is more personal and is directed to women. The fruit which is commonly used as a metaphor for the womb is the female’s ability to reproduce and the fact that. the fruit is in the hands of the woman shows the control females have over their choice. Which I realize is something that my friends and I commonly talk about so I decided to translate that onto a painting. The way that the paintings are spaced out makes it so that the viewer will be able to fully focus on one work at a time, Which allows them to understand my intentions but also interpret the painting the way they would like as it emphasizes each piece.

Divided

Oil on Canvas

The jar and cup are both objects that can be used to store items, and the book is able to store words. With this, it symbolizes our mind, and how it stores memories, thoughts, knowledge, etc. The colors red and blue are split in half which symbolizes how our inner thoughts can be contrasting and the blurred line separating the middle shows how contrasting thoughts can sometimes work together and find a middle ground. The colors filling the air represent the floating minuscule thoughts that we have.

oneirataxia

Oil on Canvas

Oneirataxia - the disability to distinguish dreams from reality. Directly inspired by a photograph of Jasmine Hollins by Aris Jerome. This word reflects the beauty and darkness of this painting. The danger of being stuck in one’s fantasy is dangerous, as is why the flower ‘aconite’ is present in this painting; aconite represents caution. Empty boxes placed around the painting symbolizes the emptiness one feels and their light colors symbolize the fantasies we believe in order to fill those gaps.

engulfed

Oil on Canvas

The softness of the painting is meant to draw you in whilst being unknown to the fact that it holds a deeper meaning. Directly inspired by a photograph of Christina Nadin. The painting shows how one can become consumed or engulfed by our society today and how we do not realize it. We fade away as societal standards overcome us and fill us with a need to fit it. The butterflies symbolize the ability or want to break free.

3 - Polyptych

Gouache on Paper

3 shows three different emotions personified showing how people can change when having certain emotions. Hence the different emotions having different expressions. The specific placement of the polyptych is meant to show how the behaviors we exhibit when under the influence of certain emotions is not just what defines us as one can sometimes be judged based on their emotions.

Eye and Fish is my attempt at surrealism. It utilizes pale colors to achieve its soft aesthetic in order to make the painting look dreamlike. The eye simply represents an eye is the gateway to the mind and the fish represents the things we find beautiful. The fish swimming in the eye depicts how I choose to only look at the beautiful while the dark and light shows how beautiful things can be bad and good. As well as how what we see can cloud your judgment or thoughts.

Femininity-Fruit

Oil on Canvas

Femininity-Fruit symbolizes the concept of having control over yourself, hence why the fruit is in the hands of the person. Especially towards a female’s perspective due to the symbolism of the fruit representing a woman's reproductive system. It’s straightforwardness makes the message more impactful as it is emphasized. The multicolored outline was put simply due to aesthetic purposes.

Don’t Flatter Me

Mixed Media- Oil on Canvas, Graphite on Bristol

Don’t Flatter Me illustrates the moments where one feels confident enough despite the ongoing judgement in society. The vibrant colors in the whirlwind-like pattern background reflects the chaotic nature in society whilst the red eyes symbolize the judgement one receives from people. The confident expression on the sketch of the girl as well as the bold outline and lines emanating from her shows how the female is warding off those judgements.