Heads & Hats 2014-2016 oil painting and embroidery on canvas
The "hat" shows up as a symbol. It reveals the characteristics of a person's archetype, often in an ironic manner. The "hat " can appear as a sign of status, or a heavy burden of experience, or expression of vanity . It may appear in harmony with a person's image, or be inept. The "hats" do not exist in reality; they exist in the world of ideas and of social conventions.
I use both oil painting and embroidery in my works. I do so in order to highlight the difference between the physical appearances of people and their own self-images and projected images to others. The repetitive stitching technique reflects the way conventions are built into our minds and into society. Lastly, I simply enjoy embroidery and how it looks on a white canvas.
