This year, over 13 million American children will be bullied at school, online, on the bus, at home, through their cell phones and on the streets of their towns, making it the most common form of violence young people face in this country. 77% of students are bullied mentally, verbally or physically. Bullying is a rising epidemic among children and young adults. As a young artist I feel it necessary to use my art making to not only raise awareness about bullying but to pose questions for the viewer on why bullying is becoming such a prominent part of our society.
My current body of work explores the ways in which bullying can be captured through a visual image. My painted bullies confront you with awkward stares, expressions of surprise, and looks of disgust. Harsh looks cause my viewer to feel alienated or self conscious. My victims show the viewer how it feels to be bullied through frustrated gestures and looks of loneliness. Experiences of my own childhood and adulthood along with the bullying stories of others allow me to depict these hurtful moments.
It is my hope for the viewer to connect with the figure, so as to imagine what the bullies are thinking or saying about them, and in turn wonder what it might feel like for this to actually be happening in real life. Through creating these visual connections, I anticipate my viewer to feel genuine emotions that will make them more aware of the hurt and humiliation caused by bullying
My current body of work explores the ways in which bullying can be captured through a visual image. My painted bullies confront you with awkward stares, expressions of surprise, and looks of disgust. Harsh looks cause my viewer to feel alienated or self conscious. My victims show the viewer how it feels to be bullied through frustrated gestures and looks of loneliness. Experiences of my own childhood and adulthood along with the bullying stories of others allow me to depict these hurtful moments.
It is my hope for the viewer to connect with the figure, so as to imagine what the bullies are thinking or saying about them, and in turn wonder what it might feel like for this to actually be happening in real life. Through creating these visual connections, I anticipate my viewer to feel genuine emotions that will make them more aware of the hurt and humiliation caused by bullying