I AM

January, 2014 - Present

NC A&T State university
Greensboro, nc

• Description

  I AM explores the seen and unseen layers of a person. Starting off with self-portraits and later expanding to others, I seek to explore the forces that drive us to the choices we make. and to combine traditional portraiture work with art therapy and abstract painting.

  This series is inspired by Nikki S. Lee, and Beth P. Leigh from Frankleigh Art.

• Artist Statement

  I AM is a series exploring self-actualization, identity, and the rite of passage. Self-Portraits are in this body of work as reflections on past experiences, beliefs, and definitions as thought (expressed in written form haloing around the head) and emotions (shown through color) illustrate the seen and unseen layers of a person.

  As an artist, my work centers around the exploration of identity and the intricate ways we navigate our realities. Through self-reflective illustrations, storytelling, and self-actualizing journaling (which I affectionately refer to as “mind-mapping”), I delve into the depths of human experience. My journey began with the “I AM” series, where I used myself as the subject matter to probe existential questions. Subsequently, after an artist residency at Creative Greensboro’s G.R.O.W. space, my focus expanded to include other individuals and their narratives on the path to self-actualization.

  The latest evolution of my work merges therapy and art, resulting in visually intricate and contextually elaborate portraits of everyday people. These portraits capture not only their physical features but also the layers of thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and experiences that define their depth as individuals. Each brushstroke or pencil mark becomes a testament to vulnerability and authenticity—a mirror reflecting the human condition.

• Sponsors

  NC A&T State University

  NCAT Visual & Performing Arts Program