Artist Statement

My work consists of digital images and video work which show a compilation of distorted tropical locations that are considered ‘beautiful’ against images of environmental catastrophe, parched land and glitching images. Intense, chaotic and choppy in nature, it mimics that of rapid pop-up advertisements and a computer virus whereby enhanced, edited landscape compositions and text are thrown at the viewer at a hectic pace. This is intended to situate viewers within the chaos that I associate with desire in contemporary culture.

 

I have used social media and popular Google image searches to understand what people find desirable. I treat the search for perfection as prevalent in today’s society because of the growing influence of social media which allows users to project a better version of themselves that aligns with their ultimate desires.

 

My most recent digital collage is an image of stairs made out of computer icons and tabs which lead to a deteriorating image of tropical landscapes. This objectification of digital icons materialises themes of escape through the digital and makes it a walkable journey for viewers. Conceptually my work problematises the escape to seemingly calmer and more tropical environments that, in reality, are very often greatly affected by poverty. We blame our issues onto our current habitats and place our hopes into elsewhere environments. My work intends to question this approach and create a sense of chaos that complicates and critiques any desire viewers may feel in relation to these images of tropical locations.