Statement:
Pop art portraits heavily influenced the style in which I choose to create my self portrait. However, I feel that sometimes pop art has a reputation that is often paired with vanity, and I wanted to avoid that. By removing the eyes in my self portrait, I emphasize that perception and reflection are not the same. Perception may be how you see things physically, but a self portrait is more than how you see yourself. It should say something more about who you are. This is where the grid in the back comes from, influenced heavily by the game of life- chess, which I grew up playing with my grandfather who taught me many lessons about life. The repeated reflections in the background serve as a tribute to the many different versions of myself that have existed in my life so far, and those I haven’t yet been acquainted with.
Annotated Bibliography:
“99C Print.” paintbylayne. Accessed February 15, 2022. https://paintbylayne.com/products/99c.
Emily Wood (also known as paintbylayne) has heavily influenced my own art style. I love her use of collage and pop art. I have this print in my living room, and this style inspired me to draw myself in a similar way.
“Blind Girl Paintings 2001-2020large Girl with No Eyes.” Large Girl with No Eyes – Canvas Paintings Items – Julian Schnabel. Accessed February 15, 2022. https://www.julianschnabel.com/paintings/canvas-paintings-items/large-girl-with-no-eyes.
This collection by Julian Schnabel portrays many different portraits of girls missing their eyes. While her intent was to bring attention to blindness, it made me consider the impact of removing my own eyes from a self portrait. How the removal of them would imply true reflection, instead of just perception.
Hutchinson, Wendy. “Life Is like a Chess Game.” Medium. Medium, February 21, 2019. https://wendyhutchinson.medium.com/life-is-like-a-chess-game-28bd34402415.
I found this article that embodies a lesson my grandfather taught me from a very young age. Chess, as both a game and a metaphor, has been a large part of my life. Though my image is not a perfect square, the grid in the background is made up of 8 blocks across, and 8 blocks down, just as a chess board.
“Marilyn Monroe Complete Portfolio.” Revolver Gallery, January 19, 2022. https://revolverwarholgallery.com/portfolio/marilyn-monroe-portfolio/.
Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe Portfolio was a large inspiration for my portrait and is seen through the repeating images in the background. This site depicts the entire collection and explores his process and the impact this collection had on the popularization of pop art.
“Selfies Puzzle by Andy Warhol.” Artware Editions. Accessed February 15, 2022. https://artwareeditions.com/products/selfies-puzzle-by-andy-warhol.
I received this puzzle as a Christmas gift, and was immediately inspired by all of the ways that Andy Warhol was able to capture himself. This collaged look also served as inspiration for the repeated and flipped portraits in the background of my portrait.
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