Artist Statement
It is easy
to observe and judge objects, situations, and concepts that are familiar to us
as correct or normal. What happens when one is confronted with the other is
something that heavily depends on the individual’s perception, previous
experience, and sub sequential analysis. Though it is possible to overcome
one’s personal prejudices in order to accurately and fairly appreciate what is unfamiliar,
it is impossible to completely eradicate feelings of uncertainty or wariness
when initially examining that which is not clearly understood.
The images I capture reflect the
correlation between the unknown and the uncanny. Through the objects and
situations displayed in these photographs, I intend to capture the cautious
wonder with which we regard the unreachable unfamiliar, and how the act of
exhibiting strange objects adds a barrier of separation that impedes us from
accurately understanding and accepting what we see. Although we may experience
various degrees of curiosity and appreciation for the endless foreign entities
we confront, our inherent nature and cultured experiences force us to approach obscure
matters with weariness. My inclusion of images that evoke, either separately or
simultaneously, both the sublime and the disturbing allude to the distinct interpretations
we concoct when we observe unfamiliar subjects and objects. By utilizing
domestic spaces and figurines, I hope to articulate the importance of
perspective, how one’s point of view changes the meaning of what is seen. The
details within these images encourage an honest and in-depth examination of the
extent to which we allow our prejudices and familiarities to influence how we
judge what we don’t understand. Much like the complex world around us, within
these photographs there is always more than meets the eye.
