Figurative Sculptures

 

Tinderbox: 

Addiction as a Figurative Sculpture

Anyone is capable of becoming an addict. While we often treat addiction as a moral failure, addiction is both a physical and psychological illness. I hoped to capture the emotions of addiction in this sculpture. To me, this portrays pain, fragility, and helplessness. The matches, which pierce the man's back, are metaphorical for the physical pain and mental burden of substance abuse. Matches are also sensitive to one another. If one is lit, the whole piece will burn. As with addiction, one mistake can destroy the entire individual.

Para La Hermana Perdida:

Mexican Femicide as a Figurative Sculpture

In Mexico, an average of ten women a day are murdered. Gender-specific homicides in Mexico have been on the rise, with rates of femicide increasing 10% between 2018 and 2019. Women are often targets of domestic abuse, sex trafficking, and gang-related violence. The feminist movement, Ni Una Mas, aims to increase awareness about femicides and have the Mexican government take the issue seriously. I titled this piece "Para la Hermana Perdida" (For the Lost Sister) as a tribute to the women who have lost their lives at the hands of violent men. 

Gregor's Room

 

To me, the bedroom in Gregor's Room invokes a sense of decrepitness. I tried to recreate this by making the pieces in this setting feel grimy and uncomfortable. The pastel and murky colors don't go well together, which adds to the viewer's discomfort.

Dinner and a Movie

 

Dinner and a Movie: The Great Gatsby

Green is typically seen as the color of jealously and uneasiness. In this piece, however, it represents  an unrequited longing. I incorporated symbols of class and status: three silver spoons, pearl earrings, and the silk dress. The raw and fried egg are representative of Old Money vs New Money. The watch serves as a metaphor for time, whether that is a lack of time or a desire to repeat the past.