As an English and Fine Arts major I attempt to combine my love of stories with my artistic skills in order to transform my mental images into tangible experiences. My goal is not to realistically represent every aspect of a story. Instead, I want to capture the essence of the tale, the basic information needed to create a narrative. I do this because I do not want to limit the possible interpretations of my images. I want others to be free to imagine whatever storyline comes to mind. For me, it is not about the correct beginning or end to the narrative. Instead, it is about discovering a possible storyline behind the image and enjoying the path to a personal message.
In order to allow this freedom of interpretation, I use a mixture of concrete ideas and indistinct details. The figures are often the most concrete forms in my work and can range from the human body, to land masses, to specific animals. These figures are usually paired with ambiguous settings and the relationships between these figures are often left unclear. This combination serves two key functions. My concrete figures provide a foundation that the viewer can use to generate an idea of the main characters within the narrative. At the same time, the ambiguous setting and indeterminate association between the figures permit the viewer to link the figures in order to create a basic storyline behind the image. By using the key figures and elements of a story, I hope to draw the viewer into the creative process for a more interactive experience. Each image I create presents a basic sense of setting, character, and action, the minimum I think is needed to create a story. From these elements I believe it is possible for the viewer to imagine the events leading up to and following the moment depicted. This way, each viewer can create his or her own interpretation of the work and become a part of the creative process. |
|