In reading Lacan’s The Mirror Stage, I was fascinated with the idea of the mirror providing us with a false reality. That in looking at ourselves in the mirror each day, we see ourselves as the world sees us, which is always something humans are interested in. We strive to look our best to others, so having this tool to see what others see is an advantage, in fact, it has become necessary. This delves into a whole other topic of societal structure and expectations causing judgement of others and ourselves. I’ve been interested in these ideas, as living in this highly technologically driven world that revolves around basic life structure (going to school, getting into college, landing a job after to support a family that you are supposed to have) has caused me a growing frustration and rebellion towards it. Lacan spoke to familial issues of mine, specifically those drawing from occupation and expectancy within that. My family is comprised of doctors, nurses, lawyers and engineers, so my wish to make a living off of my art is unrealistic, unstable and unbelievable that I will be able to succeed. From this, I pulled from two paintings that directly speak to a narrative: the change I made in my life from the structure my parents wanted, to the expression I needed through art. I left George Washington University’s Engineering program to come to Parsons for art, which had a prestigious enough name for an art school that still managed to meet my parent’s standards. It’s one of the best in the world, so my success is still, in a way, guaranteed to them. Although they did not like my major change to fine arts, it’s what I need, and I show that through my paintings.
Acrylic, oil and fabric
30″ x 40″
