2022

Ceramics

14 x 10 x 12 inches

This sculpture is a self-portrait bust I created. Conceptually, the human figure looks like me. Its back and neck have tense, contracted muscles and bulging veins to display stress, anxiety, and restlessness. However, the figure's face has a serene and calm expression, to express that, sometimes even if someone looks like they're at peace, they might be under a lot of pressure but trying their hardest to not lose control of themselves.

Visually, there's an interesting duality between the serious more realistic figure of myself below and the funny, cartoony character that's on top of my back/neck.

This character represents an alter ego of myself. It has expressive gestures to stand for a tougher, more determined, more strong-willed, and overall more powerful persona that I'd let take control when the pressure and urgency of the circumstances required it. It also has a small Orangutan sidekick on top of its head because it's my favorite animal.