ARTIST STATEMENT - INTERTWINING IDEOLOGIES

Abstracted and tridimensional,“Intertwining Ideologies” examines the progression of social constructs through the lens of theorist Michel Foucault.In contemporary times, it is accepted that gender is not designated merely by an individual’s biological sex. I portray this advance by staging two binaries conflicting with each other. The black and white fragments represent a mindset where gender is unchangeable. This side of the sculpture, which I associate with side of society that believes this to be trueis collapsing in a “straight” systematic way. The rainbow colored spectrum relate to the gay pride flag and a side of society that expands the radical acceptance of inclusivity. Individuals in this mindset believe in transformation and change. This side of the sculpture is rising in a complex way. Both sides intertwine in the middle to demonstrate their connection to social constructs in society.

Wood, for me, symbolizes transformation and liberation.The black and white components of the piece are well-covered in acrylic paint, while the rainbow side is stained with fiber dye. The acrylic paint operates as a shield to the wood grain, consuming the nature of the wood in a plastic veneer. I relate this to the superficial, coated ideology of the mainstream culture represented by in the black and white side. I enhance the natural grain of the wood exposed on the rainbow side to represent that “imperfect” transparency associated with the acceptance and gender.

Intertwining Ideologies visually depicts the hierarchy established by our patriarchy, and it's undoing. Although this is viewpoint is changing in contemporary culture, there is still a lot of stigma placed upon those who live outside of the "normal" structure.  It is comforting to know that past generations have done so much to dismantle the prevailing stereotypes, and to know that the current generation is fighting for equality and standing up for a better tomorrow.