In my paintings, I explore the complexity of the human mind and the intricate processes of thought and emotion through the technique of stratification. Each layer of color and texture is a reflection of the many facets of our consciousness—often chaotic, sometimes fragmented, but always deeply connected to the essence of self-awareness. My work is not just about visual representation; it’s an invitation to reflect on the deeper struggles that shape us.
In one piece, a face emerges from the interplay of black and white, representing the tension between clarity and confusion. The technique of stratification allows me to layer these elements, capturing the essence of thought as it builds, shifts, and occasionally falls apart. The bleeding nose on the face serves as a symbol of the exhaustion that comes with deep, sustained thought—a reminder that mental energy often exacts a toll on our physical selves. It’s a painting that calls attention to the vulnerability we sometimes hide beneath our intellectual pursuits, asking viewers to consider the cost of mental clarity in a world so full of noise.
Another work, The Counsellors, portrays three men standing together, dressed formally, yet their lack of distinct facial features creates an anonymity that mirrors the impersonal nature of thought itself. In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with competing opinions, this piece reflects the uncertainty and complexity of navigating diverse perspectives. The formal attire might suggest authority, but the absence of clear features points to the elusiveness of truth. This work is a meditation on how we often lose our sense of self in the struggle to discern right from wrong, truth from fiction.
In another painting, I used stratification to explore how external influences—society, others' opinions—can distort our sense of self. The fragmented face suggests how the rush of life and external pressures can lead to a disconnection from our authentic identity. The layers represent the slow erosion of self-awareness as we’re bombarded by thoughts and expectations that don’t belong to us. In this piece, I’m asking viewers to reflect on how much we risk losing of ourselves in the process of trying to keep up with everything around us.
In The Blossoms, flowers fall from the canvas instead of blooming, reversing the usual symbolism of growth and prosperity. Here, the flowers represent both the fleeting nature of dreams and the disappointments that often follow. The juxtaposition of vibrant, life-affirming colors with darker, more muted tones evokes the duality of existence—how dreams and hopes can sometimes clash with the harshness of reality. This piece speaks to the fragile nature of aspiration, the way dreams can feel beautiful yet illusory, often fading just as quickly as they bloom.
The image of a face under a cascade of dripping paint in one of my works captures the toll that sleepless nights, tormenting thoughts, and emotional chaos can have on our psyche. The dripping paint is a visceral metaphor for the emotional erosion that we experience when we’re overwhelmed by our own mental battles. The face, seemingly unbothered, is a mask, a façade that hides the internal struggle we often keep from others. It’s a reminder of the isolation we can feel when battling our thoughts in silence, despite the efforts of those around us who can’t quite reach the depths of our pain.
In another piece, the face is marked by the bleeding teeth—an image that goes beyond physical injury to represent the emotional and psychological toll of hidden struggles. The bleeding gums are a symbol of something deeper, something internal that is slowly seeping away. This painting challenges viewers to confront the things we hide from ourselves and from others, to acknowledge the parts of us that are breaking down in silence. It’s about the thin line between waking life and the subconscious, and how much of our internal experiences seep into our outward reality.
Ultimately, through all these works, I aim to capture the delicate balance between thought, emotion, and the external world, inviting viewers to reflect on the mental and emotional complexity of human existence. The use of stratification allows me to depict the layers of our inner worlds—the layers we often hide from others, or even from ourselves. My paintings are an exploration of what it means to exist in a world full of competing thoughts, ideas, and emotions, and an invitation to confront the complexity of our minds before it erodes the essence of who we are.