Artist Statement
I am American. I am Seminole. I live a life of cultural conflict. Discovering my place and identity among two lifestyles and cultures has been a long journey in which my work takes root. My current work is a series of bas-relief self-portraits. The focus of these portraits is to convey the inner and outer conflict experienced by a biracial female trying to find her place in society.
My personal perspective and experience with two cultures is reflected in the subtle imagery of color, gesture, and appearance that defines the girl in the portraits. A hint of nudity and eye contact refer to a Western-based society but reflects an indigenous physical appearance. In each self-portrait discord becomes resolution as the girl’s biracial identity unifies to represent a single human being.
Art has given me a platform through which to express my journey with identity. Using clay, I am able to sculpt and transform the pliable medium into a permanent, distinct, human image. My work is in the ancient technique of bas-relief, where layers of images on a flat panel create illusion and depth. Using myself as the subject, I can reveal a hidden layer furthering my exploration and understanding of multicultural identity and human influence.
My personal perspective and experience with two cultures is reflected in the subtle imagery of color, gesture, and appearance that defines the girl in the portraits. A hint of nudity and eye contact refer to a Western-based society but reflects an indigenous physical appearance. In each self-portrait discord becomes resolution as the girl’s biracial identity unifies to represent a single human being.
Art has given me a platform through which to express my journey with identity. Using clay, I am able to sculpt and transform the pliable medium into a permanent, distinct, human image. My work is in the ancient technique of bas-relief, where layers of images on a flat panel create illusion and depth. Using myself as the subject, I can reveal a hidden layer furthering my exploration and understanding of multicultural identity and human influence.
