My practice explores adolescent cognitive development.
I am interested in the silent coming of age, which spans the ages of 8-12. It is during this time in which children see the society around them with fresh eyes, gradually developing a more mature view of the world. By referencing literature and personal memories, my work puts into perspective the shattered innocence of children and its lasting psychological effects.
In my earlier works, I address the passing narrative of family through the eyes of a freshly culled innocent. By employing peculiar colors, unique visual viewpoints, and childlike humor, I use my paintings to exhibit the warped truth that surfaces when one struggles to face reality, while still clutching onto the last strands of their fairytale utopia. The pieces of this shattered daydream allow me to further scrutinize childhood and the cognitive dissonance that is often present during this stage.
My exploration of childhood’s inescapable grasp goes hand in hand with studying the effects of Western overconsumption. My current works focus on the struggle of cultural beliefs versus one’s heritage while examining how overconsumption affects our development. One way I have tackled this is through collaging of personal photographs and trash scraps to create a wall of small trinkets. This continuous installation acts as an inquisitive study of how easily culture is able to seep into children’s mentalities and mold them differently from parent’s wishes.