If your art could speak, what message do you think it would convey to the world?
My artwork challenges viewers to see past their misconceptions, as it’s why I create the art myself, to break down judgement and further an understanding. My work is a testament to my own self-growth and the understanding of other people and cultures. I believe it speaks out and shows compassion and love for the taboo and the misunderstood.
How do you handle creative blocks or moments of self-doubt?
I never go on a journey alone. I’m surrounded by wonderful creative people. We kick each other’s asses on the regular. I’m inspired by history. Most of my artworks start from deep research or discussions with profession in their fields. The more I learn, the more I’m inspired to create. When in self-doubt, I remember I’m creating the artwork for me, for my own development. It’s only a hope that others may enjoy it too.
Can you share a specific piece of artwork that holds a special meaning to you, and explain the story behind it?
There are many. Some artworks dedicated my father, some to my mother. However, a personal one for me is “Willful Sin.” I’ve always found it interesting how the beliefs we have bestowed upon us have shaped how we live our lives. I was reading Delphic maxims and other religious rule systems. I started to question how much of myself is myself and also the true self. The model I photographed for this artwork comes from a religious background. We had conversed about sexual repression, the shame of accepting yourself, your desires, and your true self. The horns we casted are from a ram, which were then electro-formed in copper, chromed, and finally, sculpted onto her back with special effects makeup. They represent the “sin” from within coming out no matter what. Ultimately, in the end, you’ll have to accept who you really are, no matter how much you try to hide it. It was a refreshing ode to her and my own acceptance of self and I believe others feel that too at some point in their lives.
Do you believe in the concept of a “tortured artist”?
I would think anyone who goes down the path of intense study, self-reflection, or the exposition of their soul through art has to be a little bit mad. Laying bare your beliefs and feelings for others to see and experience is wild, right? Art doesn’t always have to come from pain, but I believe it just comes from people wanting to give a part of themselves to others, an insight, a thought, a feeling. It’s as brutally exposing as you want it to be, depending on the intent of the artist. I do believe artists see the world through a different perspective, asking more about what could be, and go into existential crisis a lot more than others.
How do you balance experimenting with new techniques while staying true to your artistic style?
I would rather use any tools at hand as long as it can tell the story or message I am aiming for. As long as there’s a visual narrative being conveyed, I don’t mind if my style changes. Anything I create is by me anyways, so my style will hopefully change as I grow. I’m not so attached to my style. I’m more afraid of being stagnant.
In what ways do you think your personal experiences, emotions, or beliefs contribute to the interpretation and expression of your art?
It’s impossible for me to distance myself and my art from who I am as the topics I choose are a reflection of me. I can’t devoid my preconceptions. The work is created through my own contextual understanding. Everything I believe in would shape how I create. This is why I thoroughly enjoy connecting and working with likeminded creatives and my work is shaped by studying the subject matter I present. I wouldn’t have created a true testament and representation of the subject if I hadn’t researched or broke down my own preconceptions first. I had to go on a journey and really learn more about what the truth is of my subject in order to express the experience in my own way. I often do meetings, trial shoots, sketch sessions, and discussions with my team before I even pick up a camera. I don’t like creating for the sake of creating. I like to create for purpose, and that purpose is to dismantle my own beliefs and develop new ones based on what I explore and learn. This is what I really adore about art. It has given me the ability to grow, meet amazing people, and create artwork that will hopefully, give others an insight into worlds unexplored.
