My work evolves as my opinions and attitudes toward social media and identity do. Ever-changing and critical, I question how my work can combine the digital and physical by placing both into a tangible space.
The influence of social media inspired me to turn my focus on how the consumption of images online became a form of consumerism. Studying the notion of ‘Instagram Influencers’, I began questioning my identity and how I portray the ‘authentic self’; the materials I use, digital portraiture and mask-making reflect the struggle of choosing between presenting an idealised version of myself online or being who I truly am.
The relationship between who I am online and in real-life inspires my artistic practice and research. I can distance the viewer from the figure as they are placed in an abstract and colourful world on screen by working digitally and then invite the viewer in again by mounting those portraits and displaying them in a physical space. While they are distracted by the bright colours and seemingly cheerful exterior of the images, on further inspection, the multiple faces and masks allude to a deeper issue.
By placing myself in the portraits, there become two versions of myself - an idealised and colourful version which is, in reality, in direct opposition to the real me. I find a vulnerability in my work that is hard to express through conversation. Thus, I allow my work to speak for me. It provides an outlet to express my insecurities without compromising my pride and creates a dialogue surrounding isolation, anonymity and our digital footprint. Combining and understanding these elements is the key to appreciating my work.
