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Jade

My body of work seeks to express mental struggles through the portrayal of anxious-looking figures and portraits. Initially, I took inspiration from my surrounding environment, studying the intricate architecture of buildings as well as the methods

My interest in the understanding of self, especially being a teenager with an ever-evolving identity, really inspired me throughout my exhibition. I have explored this theme in different ways by looking at self-perception, social pressures, and fragmented identities. I chose this theme as I was interested in communicating to the viewer feelings and emotions they may recognize themselves in. The cubist movement and the use of mix-media also inspired me. Hence, my work explores a variety of techniques, from photography to acrylics, embroidery, the use of space, and the integration of sculptural and textural elements. This theme offers a wide range of multi-layered aspects that shape our identity, which is why mix-media was crucial in the making process. Applying self-experiences or incidents that occur in everyday life creates a body of work that is connected aesthetically and thematically. 

Photography is a medium that is central to my exhibition, as I am personally attached to it. What I enjoy most about photography is that it can convey strong messages with a raw appearance and accurately capture facial lines and expressions. Paired with Photoshop, this medium allowed me to explore a range of possibilities for my work and change the traditional use of photography. "Am I" is an introduction to my theme of identity and societal pressures conveying personal messages to a broader group of people who, like me, may feel the pressure to meet certain expectations, to show a version of themselves that others want to see, and to hide their genuine emotions in order to fit in. "Mirror Maze" explores the sub-theme of self-reflection through viewer interaction, using space, mirrors, and mixed media. Working in 3D and relief deepened my message and created a more personal experience. I wanted the audience to disconnect from the outside world and focus on the work, just as I did while making it. The mirror represents my own experience of not always recognizing myself, of hiding parts of who I am to meet expectations. Through my work I have used mix-media with wood, photography, acrylic paint, embroidery, gels and collage. This choice of material was to create a more interactive and diverse experience for the viewers, making the pieces feel more personalized. The use of embroidery, collage and gels allowed for a more interesting visual appeal and texture with relief. I believe this use makes the artworks stand out from other flat pieces as textural elements add depth and sensory interest to an artwork, allowing me to show ideas differently. Through my process, I have inspired myself with renowned artists such as Andy Warhol with his use of bold and contrasting colors to disrupt the traditional portrait with Cornelia Parker use of space and her artwork "Cold Dark Matter" made from fragments of a shed, reflecting my exploration of fragmented identity, lastly with Chuck Close's Autoportraits that represent own identity, made with different visual textures and techniques. 

When entering the exhibition space, the audience is greeted with my central piece, "Mirror Maze" which is in the middle of my exhibition, hung by the ceiling. The space follows the narrative of self-discovery, allowing the viewer to understand the theme directly before even looking at each piece individually. The multidimensional space gives the viewer an exploration view of my artworks. Organized by groups, my photograph portrait artworks are laid out next to each other, with my body paintings and sculpture following them on the right. The audience will look at the piece from right to left, which will show them a personal journey of self-exploration. The artworks I've selected for the exhibition are an in-depth representation of my artistic process and the illustrated expressive voice that has always been a part of my work.

My exhibition invites the viewers to experience deep emotional feelings and relate to my art and the message of self-identity I aim to convey. I would hope the viewers may leave the exhibition with the feeling of being understood and have had the chance to relate to the artworks. The multidimensional aspects of identity and the forces that shape our understanding of identity & self is central in my exhibition, but do we ever truly know who we really are? 

 

 

AM I (03/03/2025)

Photograph & Embroidery 

105x150 cm

AM I is a two-piece series exploring how boys often hide emotions due to societal pressure, affecting their sense of self. Inspired by Victoria Villasana’s embroidered portraits, I used photography, red thread and safety pins to show a broken identity. The phrase “Boys don’t cry” is stitched in red, contrasting with the black and white photo, while the plain background keeps focus on the face. The safety pins represent emotional tension and the fragile attempt to hold together an identity.

Color-Coded (13/02/2025)

Photography and Gels

105x150 cm 

Color-Coded explores identity and emotional conflict under societal expectations. Red and blue filters symbolize anger and sadness, while the four-part collage reflects fragmented self-perception. Inspired by Andy Warhol’s Elizabeth II (Tate.org.uk), I used digital manipulation and color theory to show how identity is shaped by inner emotions and external pressures, encouraging viewers to question surface appearances.

 

 

Visage Caché (01/06/2024)

Acrylic paint on canvas 

45 x 40 cm

Visage Caché explores the layers of emotion hidden beneath the surface. The abstract portait of face in different shades of blue shows a sense of melancholy and introspection. Inspired by Picasso’s Blue period, it goes in the complexity of human emotions, showing the duality of our inner & outer selves. It invites viewers to search the unseen struggles and feelings that lie behind a composed exterior. Through it's thick  brushstrokes this artwork reveals the depth of our emotions.

 

 


 

Mirror maze (12/12/2024)

Wood, acrylic, broken mirrors

70x70x70cm

Mirror Maze explores identity and self-perception with fragmented mirrors that distort and multiply the viewer’s reflection. Influenced by Cornelia Parker’s, this work reflects on the reconstruction of the self. Viewers are invited to physically enter the box, creating a sense of isolation while being surrounded by their own fractured image. On two opposite outer panels, I drew faceless portraits filled with symbols to represent emotional absence and internalised experience. 

 

 

 

Resonance (02/02/2024)

Charcoal and chalk on paper

64 x 50 cm

Resonance explores how body language communicates emotions beyond words. Inspired by the raw and expressive figure work of Jenny Saville, this piece reflects the struggle with identity and vulnerability through a faceless and tilted backward body. The use of charcoal and chalk enhances the intensity of light and shadow, capturing both strength and fragility. The flowing lines and tonal contrasts suggest a personal narrative shaped by silence pressure and resilience.

Drowning emotions (27/05/ 2023)

Acrylic paint on canvas

34 x 24 cm

Drowning Emotions shows a single hand drawn reaching up from the ocean, symbolizing emotional struggle and the desire to surface from inner turmoil. Inspired by the raw emotional tone of Käthe Kollwitz’s expressive figures, this piece uses dirty greys and browns to convey heaviness and sorrow. The muted, earthy palette and stark contrast evoke a sense of drowning in emotion while suggesting the resilience it takes to rise again.

 

 

Echoes (17/12/2024) 

Ceramic 

20x11x5 cm

Echoes explores the relationship between form and void through an abstract ceramic structure. Inspired by organic shapes and Andrea Moon’s interwoven designs, the piece plays with solidity and openness. The exterior painted black creates a bold contrast against the deep red visible on the inner edges and hollow spaces. This contrast enhances depth and highlights the interplay between surface and void, encouraging viewers to explore the sculpture from multiple angles.

Fragments of Identity (15/10/2024)

Acrylic paint on canvas

 105 x 170cm

Fragments of Identity is a mixed-media artwork exploring how personal experiences shape identity. Inspired by David Hockney’s Joiners series & Chuck Close’s mosaic portraits, the piece deconstructs a black-and-white portrait with geometric hexagonal cutouts. These colorful hexagon images represent personal memories & relationships, symbolizing evolving identity. The contrast between the monochrome portrait and vibrant components show the tension between internal self-reflection and external influences. 

 

 

Veins of Reflection (215/05/ 2024)

Acrylic paint on canvas

97 x 48 cm

Veins of Reflection is an abstract depiction of a human body, drawn with fluid lines in a blue color palette. Inspired by Picasso’s Blue Period, the work explores identity through introspection and emotion. The use of layered blues symbolizes sadness and inner depth, while the abstract form reflects how identity is ever-shifting and hard to define. The soft, flowing lines evoke calm and invite viewers to reflect on their own emotional state.