ARTIST STATEMENT

     The idea embodied in my work was to explore the relationship between myself and finding my personal identity. Researching the psychological theories of Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud reveals that they had a different way of determining when or how someone might find their identity. I gravitated towards Carl Jung’s work throughout my search. Jung’s idea of being imprinted through ancestors and looking back to our origins and how they might influence who you are today was eye opening. 

 

     These ideas have helped me explore who I am and inspire the work that I have created. Always being self aware of who I was on the outside I started struggling to find out what my true identity. I chose to use photographs to document my search because photography has always been a big part of my life. Along this journey I feel like I have absolutely found a way to capture parts of my identity. While creating this body of work I have become more comfortable about who I am. From the knowledge that I now have about identity I think that each of use has our own way of finding it. I believe that finding our identity may for some of us be everchanging. Personally I know I am everchanging and always craving to learn more about who I am and why, it may very well be the same for other individuals.   

 

     I used photo transfers to create this work. After taking photos I chose which photos resided with my identity the most. Taking those photos that helped to depict myself I then put them into illustrator and edited them there until it felt right. Turning the photos into PDF files I printed them in preparation for the photo transfers. Using masking tape I secured my paper as well as the photo, then started applying the wintergreen oil. After the oil has been applied I used various types of spoons to rub the photo until I have the results I am looking for. The pressure from the spoon transfers each photo into the collage I have created.