rough draft of my artist statement for the exhibition

I never did own Barbie’s Dream House as a little girl. The box full of tattered Barbie dolls my older cousins passed down to me were so worn that the heads would pop off and startle me every time. Needless to say, any other dolls I was given from then on usually sat in the corner collecting dust as I ran around outside instead.

To this day, dolls still give me the heebie-jeebies. I find their frazzled hair, emotionless expressions, and fixed stares to be unnerving, which serves as the basis for my concentration. Throughout the exploration of my idea, I often used dramatic sources of light to intensify the eerie, or even disturbing, tones of my pieces. As my work progressed, I also found myself juxtaposing doll heads with ordinary household objects, such as a carton of eggs, to create bizarre and creepy combinations.

From trips to the thrift store to the process of executing a piece, I’ve truly enjoyed discovering my concentration this year. Although I’ve accepted American University’s invitation to study International Relations in Washington D.C. next fall, I know the lessons I’ve learned as a growing artist will be life-long. My background in art compliments my interest in studying international arts and culture and supports my aspirations to increase cross-cultural communication and understanding. Innovators and problem-solvers worldwide value the creative process, and art serves as a mediator between cultures in our increasingly global society.

Tetuan, Morocco

April 2012