‘Motivational Poster Series: Excuses, Paranoia and Rejection’ Digital collage and text. Each poster: 11.7 x 16.5 inch. 2022.

The ‘Motivational Poster Series’ including ‘Excuses’, ‘Paranoia’, and ‘Rejection’, is a triptych of 11.7 x 16.5 inch framed posters that appropriate the ‘office-friendly’, motivational posters popularised in the late 20th century. Each poster includes a digital collage of scenery that relates to the text underneath. I wanted to include social/self critique, as well as a hint of nostalgia through the degrading comments and the composition of the works. I wanted to display raw, unfiltered phrases that completely contrast with the calm and unproblematic images to convey the inner thoughts of living in a capitalist society, the uncertainty of life, and self deprecation.

The images are composed of objects unrelated to what they depict; a sunset made out of an orange and cheese graters depicted as a cityscape in ‘Paranoia’, floral imagery for a sunset and ocean in ‘Rejection’, and the inverted sky and ocean in ‘Excuses’. Collaging the images allow for a different perspective of the pieces depending on how physically close the viewer is to the artwork. When close enough to read the text, the image appears cluttered and undecipherable due to the chaotic nature of the textures - but as soon as the text becomes illegible, the collages become whole scenes instead of a collection of a range of objects. The “this-or-that” element of the work is something that I wanted to utilise in which the viewer is given the option to purposefully read the (not so nice) text, or be ignorant of the mean comments and focus on the colourful scenery.

‘Motivational Poster Series: Excuses’

“How dare you allow structures like these to exist? You are actively participating in exploitation and genocide. What are you even doing with your life? Do you realise that nobody actually likes you? I bet you use plastic straws.”

‘Motivational Poster Series: Rejection’

"Rejection: look at this sunset. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Look at you. Did you really leave the house looking like that? It’s an insult to nature that you exist. Did you even brush your teeth?”

‘Motivational Poster Series: Paranoia’

“Paranoia: You are living in a simulation. All of your friends are pretending to like you, and you are the reason for your parents’ divorce. When was the last time you did something meaningful for others? You’re useless.”