Incorporating History into the Work

Here is the story behind “Nesting”

The mythological story of Venus has been used a lot in art history, and she was definitely the jumping off point for this piece.

I appropriated the classical sculpture of the crouching Venus. Venus and Aphrodite are counterparts - both represent love and beauty, but while Aphrodite’s image leans more towards everlasting youth and desire, Venus has more wifely attributes like decency and fertility. She’s the modest, domestic goddess. This sculpture in particular shows Venus being surprised while bathing. I loved her gesture, and the criss-cross of her arms as she attempts to cover up.

With each artwork, I’m after the same effect that a great poem has. It gives off a sense of beauty, it’s a more simplified presentation of the subject, but every word is purposeful and packed with meaning. It also takes longer to unpack a poem, and the more you read it, the more the collection of words start to unveil their true purpose or potential.

Hair has always been interesting to me. It’s both interior and exterior. It holds our DNA. How we shape it says something about our identity or the identity we wish to portray. It keeps growing after you die - very creepy.

And of course eggs have many meanings. beginnings, birth, I like the fact that they can be many things.
They are also thought of as a “creative fire point” - an idea or being that must be set into motion to unleash it's potential.

All this to say, the image is a result of many lines of inquiry - looking into the past and recycling themes I've used again and again.

I wanted to say something about domesticity, instinct, identity, and even though we may take different paths in life, there is a common thread connecting us.