Senior Show

My work is constructed from my observations of the world; the beautiful and beautifully grotesque aspects of life, the ways color and geometry exist in nature, and the relationships formed between man and Creation. From a very early age I became fascinated by the plants and creatures that coexist with us. However, I have come to realize much of the natural world ends up overlooked. Insects, creatures so small and miniscule, are beautifully made but underappreciated because of man’s negative associations with them. Even that which is grotesque has beauty. If we slow down and actually look at nature, we can find a lot more to appreciate. I hope to bring attention to the beauty and wonders of life through my exaggerated depictions of people, plants, animals, and the ways they engage with one another. 
 

These three paintings in particular depict people amidst acts of creation. There are many ways people can express creativity, but I chose to highlight these three in particular: taxidermy, gardening, and sculpting. The taxidermist recreates once living animals and gives them new life. The gardener recreates nature in their own backyard or home by growing plants. Lastly, the sculptor recreates the figure and molds life into clay. I say “recreates” because all of these things have already been created by God. My inspiration for this body of work comes from the concept of sub-creation, which is the idea that man possesses an innate desire to create as a result of having been created himself. These three acts of creation serve as ways we mimic our Creator and engage with His creation.