Artist Statement
I make abstract paintings with paper. As an artist, I explore the idea of excavation and unearthing. I am inspired by the process of peeling and removing layers in order to reveal what is really underneath; whether what is hidden away in the bottom layers is reminiscent of our true selves deep beneath social masks we wear in order to operate and protect ourselves in society, or our emotions that are so complex and nebulous that we only get to the truth once all the confusion and immediate reactions are removed. I begin by applying several layers of paper on a canvas, rip them apart, and strip them repeatedly after being dried. Once completed, it is left with an intense, tempestuous, and intricately textured surface laden with fiber debris from paper. Overall, my paintings have an archeological quality as viewers can viscerally sense and see different levels and layers of paper that have been intentionally built up and destroyed, leaving empirically elaborate and complicated traces. And I find all layers, pristine and messy alike, equally beautiful, as I believe all human experiences and emotions are meaningful, albeit often filled with serendipity and joy but also encumbered with unpredictable and immense pain. Through my work, I aim to create paintings that are relatable to viewers in a deep, contemplative, and earnest way, as I wish to create works that are profound, penetrating, thought-provoking, and evocative, very much analogous to ourselves and our lives.
