Wordy

Stemming from an encounter with internet trolling, "Wordy" was triggered by a self-proclaimed 'critic' who dismissed my work as "unsophisticated" and "derivative." This incident prompted an introspection into the nature of constructive criticism and its potential impact on artistic expression. The piece, a tangible manifestation of this introspection, reflects upon a collection of negative remarks that have been directed at me over the years—comments from parents, teachers, professors, colleagues—all woven into the fabric of my creative identity. Each word, laden with personal connotations, was hand-painted four times in ink on vellum. The repetition of the words echoes the repetition of critical voices, underscoring their persistent presence in our minds. The painted words were then photographed and digitally compiled into a collage. The culmination is a graphic 36" x 48" poster with a seamless pattern. The poster, when arranged together in multiples, creates an immersive backdrop that illustrates the cacophony of negative voices that often reside within us. The act of pouring forth these negative comments becomes an act of liberation, a stripping away of their power and reclaiming of my own artistic narrative. "Wordy" invites us all to confront our own inner critiques.