the unconventional portrait of...
Location
FA-255
Start Date
1-5-2026 10:30 AM
Department
Art + Design
Abstract
My work is an unconventional self-portrait that explores beautification and adornment as forms of self- expression through the perspective of a Black and Mexican artist. This project expresses status, Black culture, and fashion items (that I might have if money wasn’t an issue), through three-dimensional mediums. Gathering inspiration from a variety of patterns and textures, 90’s hip-hop/R&B music videos, and Black fashion, the viewer will see that there are many different forms of self-expression. This work consists of body parts adorned with organic shapes and an array of colors painted on with gel nail polish. The inclusion of fragmented body parts instead of an actual face is a critique on the beauty standards of today and emphasizes the areas of the body that most people do not see as part of that standard. Nail polish is accessible and a medium used at home; painting nails is a way to express who you are in the Black community. In the Black community, decorating nails is a way to express what that person considers valuable in their life and holds insight into their personality. Using nail polish in much of my work is a way to further emphasize the importance of self-expression through nail polish. Adding different shapes, colors, and patterns is a way to make the work uniquely mine. The materials I use connect to the idea that using a medium that relies solely on hands, and nail polish as the finish, emphasizes that hands are at the forefront of every piece of art I create. As a result, the viewer will see that the nails are a personal way to express my personality and interests that you wouldn’t be able to see if those nails were not exposed. My process also gives me space to learn more about who I am, not just as an artist, but as a human being.
Faculty Sponsor
Nate Mathews
the unconventional portrait of...
FA-255
My work is an unconventional self-portrait that explores beautification and adornment as forms of self- expression through the perspective of a Black and Mexican artist. This project expresses status, Black culture, and fashion items (that I might have if money wasn’t an issue), through three-dimensional mediums. Gathering inspiration from a variety of patterns and textures, 90’s hip-hop/R&B music videos, and Black fashion, the viewer will see that there are many different forms of self-expression. This work consists of body parts adorned with organic shapes and an array of colors painted on with gel nail polish. The inclusion of fragmented body parts instead of an actual face is a critique on the beauty standards of today and emphasizes the areas of the body that most people do not see as part of that standard. Nail polish is accessible and a medium used at home; painting nails is a way to express who you are in the Black community. In the Black community, decorating nails is a way to express what that person considers valuable in their life and holds insight into their personality. Using nail polish in much of my work is a way to further emphasize the importance of self-expression through nail polish. Adding different shapes, colors, and patterns is a way to make the work uniquely mine. The materials I use connect to the idea that using a medium that relies solely on hands, and nail polish as the finish, emphasizes that hands are at the forefront of every piece of art I create. As a result, the viewer will see that the nails are a personal way to express my personality and interests that you wouldn’t be able to see if those nails were not exposed. My process also gives me space to learn more about who I am, not just as an artist, but as a human being.