Current work

I have turned my attention to dealing with concepts of identity, individuality and anonymity and have begun producing art that explores the painted representation of human individuality from the perspective of the viewers objective. I begin a work by first looking at the way we describe a person in a traditional way or situation and then change that image and remove the 'recognition' and as such the uniqueness of the individual is portrayed.

In this way I wish to show the conflict between the perceived value placed upon an individual by the individual themself and the objective significance of that individual within the larger human societal system.

With the new work, the Individual Series, I will be focusing on the individual and the individual's constructed self-identity. I am interested in exploring the idea that people don't actually have a fixed true identity or character, a 'thing' located somewhere inside them, but rather that their identity is of no lasting significance, always shifting, something that finds recognition only through interaction with others.

 


 

Historically the conditions of gay culture are oppression, secrecy and outsider status. However with the development of the internet we have seen the biggest change to gay life. GLBT lives have become very international and efforts for assimilation have resulted in mainstream movies, TV shows, books, and magazines reflecting gay issues. For better or worse, because of assimilation being gay is something - examined and critiqued - and we are now faced with a dillution of our culture in a larger sea - in which prejudice still swims below the surface, only in new forms. For all the concious raising - I don't think being gay is stigma free.

Assimilation has left gay culture a drift in some way. This may be why gay culture seems spent for the moment. It seems spent because the assimilation that was supposed to solve everything hasn't. Gay culture like gay private life is mutating. For example; Teenagers where not out when I was growing up, it just was not acceptable. Today lesbian grrrl's openly refuse to conform to hetrosexual norms. It is an open rebelion that many older lesbians could only have dreamed of. Today this openness is not an expression of social freedom but rather of gay culture fighting for individuality within assimilation.

Much of my work is about three subjects; desire, rebellion, politics, which are deeply relevant to queer female life. Viewers of my work like that they are seeing something that clearly express some aspect of the queer experience.

I want to express the lesbian voice of gay culture. Every revolution has it's art. It's entwined with the movement and there is a definite sexual undercurrent throughout the work which reflects the strength and perseverance these women have obtained throughout their lives and personal spiritual journeys.