Curatorial Rationale

Full Presentation

 

My body of artworks was inspired by my curiosity of the human mind and behavior, and the diversity of perspectives we all have. This led me to choose the theme of Perception. I used this opportunity to explore significant world issues through the lens of my theme, Perception, and by taking unique approaches to spark certain feelings into my audience. For years now, society has structured our minds by creating norms we must conform to, to be considered as ‘normal’. To break out of the mold formed by society, all my artworks have a contrast of positive and negative messages. I aimed to portray stereotypically negative aspects of life (issues) like racism, fear, women empowerment, gun violence and lack of self-satisfaction in a positive way. To include the positivity element properly, I took many paths such as; color, photoshop, textures and my own passions to create the contrast of good and bad. My artworks embody a range of techniques that were chosen specifically in order to send my message across in certain manners. From broken mirrors to pop art paintings, I have incorporated several unconventional elements within my work for portraying my unconventional ideas, thoughts and opinions. 

In my works, I want the audience to establish a relationship with my art. As my theme is ‘Perception’, there is no ‘wrong’ way of looking at my pieces, however an analogy would help them understand my justifications of technique, materials, color and presentation. My vision for the exhibition is to hang the canvases higher than eye-level, because some distance between the audience and piece is needed for the impact my canvas artworks will have. ‘Make peace with your Broken Pieces’ is my piece 4. I plan on including fairy lights that run through each broken mirror and spread outwards onto the canvas and further past it, creating the visual of a subtle explosion. The lights will draw attention to the focal point, the broken mirrors and accommodate more impact to the ‘self-satisfaction’ positive meaning. Photography piece 5, ‘Only Good Things’, will be displayed through the use of 6 frames in a chaotic arrangement at eyelevel. Because the sparkles added through photoshop are tiny, the final photos will be zoomed in to draw attention to the sparkles, then to the meaning. ‘The Kiss of Death’ will be hung on a hook by 1 strap out of the 2. This exaggerates the irony piece 7 is portraying, our carelessness. Lastly, ‘A Process of Peace’ will be enclosed by glass as the lipstick is fragile. The audience can view piece 8 from up-close however the glass between the piece and audience also acts as a barrier for their understanding, which then requires an analogy to deepen the impact of the piece. 

Exhibition Pieces

Inferior or Intimidating?

Oil Paint on Canvas | 24-by-36 inches

 

My piece 1 was created on the basis of a severe ongoing issue, racism. In relation to my theme, Perception, I intended on portraying the issue of racism and making my audience realize whether their perspective is from a racist point of view or otherwise. Using culture, I reached my aim of beautifying stereotypically negative skin colored people, additionally giving an insight to Sudanese culture and tradition.


Make Peace With Your Broken Pieces

Acrylic Paint and Broken Mirrors on Canvas| 24-by-36 inches 

My approach for my piece 4 was inspired teenagers in this generation and the lack of positivity in the way they perceive themselves. I chose mirrors as an external element to my piece rather than using frequently used medias. Mirrors carry a range of interpretations; however broken mirrors have the main interpretation of negativity. Using format for affect, I positioned the broken mirrors to look like they are holding as one, symbolizing that the negativity you see in yourself is what makes you, you, and should be loved.


 

The Kiss of Death

Acrylic Paint and Lipstick, Papier-Mâché | Medium Handbag

With regard to creativity, my piece 7 foundation is a real-life handbag that was developed in order to fit in with my theme of Perception. My vision was based on one of my passions, cosmetology, by including it along with the theme of irony. Animal cruelty is a significant issue which needs more awareness, therefore my piece 6 is intended to increase awareness using animal prints and irony. Irony is embedded by the use of lipstick. We say animals have rights and give them love, but is that really the case?


 

Under Control 

Acrylic Paint on Canvas | 18-by-24 inches

In relation to my theme of perception, I dedicated my piece 2 to the issue of harm, specifically when it comes to love. Love is seen as an emotion hard to control, which therefore results in many negative actions that affect people’s lives. My painting represents the pain they can potentially follow love and how as people we become oblivious to it because love makes us happy. 


 

Only Good Things

Photography and Photoshop | A4 Frames

To approach visual arts differently, I experimented with photoshop for my piece 5. Keeping in track with ‘Perception’, I focused my piece 5 on the portrayal of stereotypically negative companies and their products. As it is a scientifically proven fact that products from McDonalds and Coca Cola are unhealthy, using glitter I intend to change the perspective from negative to positive. 


 

A Process of Peace 

Wood | 50 cm

Using my surroundings as inspiration, I wanted to dedicate a piece on world peace. Piece 8 is my version of what should happen in order for world peace. Symbolism is the main theme of the piece to understand the use of bullets and lipsticks. The bullets symbolize violence in general (war, death, etc.) whereas the lipsticks symbolize my passion of makeup. The idea behind this piece is to provoke those in high positions to change their instinct of war to a passion that would make them happy, in this case mine is makeup. An evolution from negative thoughts to positive.  


 

Colorful Fear

Oil Paint on Canvas | 24-by-36 inches

Tackling a personal fear of mine, my piece 3 was on the common phobia of reptiles. Continuing with the theme of Perception, my intention was to characterize the snake as though it is harmless even though the position and expression of the snake would normally depict harmful. The harmless part was formed through my use of color and style of painting the snake. It was done purposefully in order to affect the audience how I intended on.


A Shot of Deliciousness

Acrylic Paint on Canvas | 24-by-36 inches

For my piece 6 I based it on 2 themes; danger and irony. The danger comes from the gun due to its role of protection using violence. Creating a connection between a gun and a cupcake abates the danger feeling that usually comes when seeing a gun. The irony lies between the gun, cupcake and the women’s hand holding the gun. It is supposed to raise awareness on women empowerment by conforming to societal norms of ‘women staying in the kitchen’ but still portraying her power through the gun; indicating the degradation of women.