Human emotions and the actions that are derived from them are tied to basic animalistic impulses. Society and culture tend to ignore or deny the presence of these primal urges. During childhood and early adolescence we are more closely attuned to, if not aware of, our own instinctual actions. Children in general are less inhibited by social and cultural constraints imposed on them later on in life. Their actions are frank and more sincerely instinctual than those of adults. Adolescence is the meeting of these two worlds, where the boundaries of cultural and natural influences become blurred. In my current work, I use animal features and mannerisms blended with those of humans to create hybrid forms, which illustrate this psychological state.

Through the process of play and “trying things on” my figures experiment with objects that affect their appearance and bodily movement. The decorations reference desserts in their delicately frosted, porcelain surfaces. It is evident that these objects unnaturally restrict the figure from either normal movement or sensory function. Although they initially appear sweet and frivolous, these adornments have the potential to cause physical and psychological discomfort. They serve as a means to an end; as vehicles used to create an image of desire. The figures are experimenting with different modes of self-representation. They alternate between appearing submissive and threatening. It is indistinguishable whether they make these alterations for a self-serving purpose or for the pleasure of the viewer.