I create sculpture, collage, and prints that examine sustainability, consumerism, feminism, reality, and time. In particular, my material-based work uses art historical references and experiences recorded in European late medieval manuscripts, early Renaissance artwork, and Seventeenth Century Dutch still life painting to the above contemporary concerns.
My sculptural Singularities and Vanitas series utilize a mix of highly personal yet mundane objects, ranging from hairdryers, knick-knacks, Halloween decorations, clothespins, and phones. Some of the objects included in the clusters are handmade and some are mass-produced plastic commodities imported from China. These objects are bound together using sisal twine and cords that are painted black as a unifying reminder of birth, beginnings, infinity, and mystery. The unifying color breaks down the value placed of different types of objects. These series engage viewers to search for their own stories by utilizing combinations of objects to consider the passage of time both in their personal lives and as consumers who create waste. The combination of these images also asks viewers to think of the past, future, and the expansive nature of time by giving clues through mirror reflections and objects that both trigger memories and clues for possible futures.
The sculptures in my Visitations series use the same found objects used in the Singularities and Vanitas series, but this time linking them to narrative themes of the Annunciation and the crowning of The Virgin. Using symbolism found in these art historical sources, I have created works on paper and sculptures combining contemporary symbolism, mediums, and mark making to explore how her image still has so much power to so many people. She has been identified with as a source of power, consolation, and support for women through the centuries. I combine found religious artifacts and everyday objects to ask viewers to interact with the stories in a new context and consider how the narrative has meaning for them. The use of monochromatic gold paint has a unifying purpose to elevate all of the objects in reference to the spiritual realm.
The Stigmatas, Halos & Crowns collage series asks viewers to consider images of stigmatas through a feminist lens by questioning how the meaning of symbols change with the orientation of a mark, and then how both sets of symbols challenge us to view the experience of bleeding and the body.
The print series Manifestations and Ave Maria consider both depictions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Dutch still life painting by combining the symbolism of memento mori, iconography, and the Annunciation, asking viewers to consider cycles of life from conception to death.
By creating art that focuses on making these connections in art history and literature, I hope to inspire conversations about global capitalism, environmentalism, feminism, time, reality, our own mortality, and that of the planet we live on.
Email the Artist: farrar.annie@gmail.com
