Date: January-May 2026
Categories: Drawings
These works were created as the final project for my senior capstone; a selection of these pieces were on view in the Creative Arts Senior Pop-up Show in Dana Gallery from May 7, 2026 through May 16, 2026.
Artist Statement:
Deep Zoo is a series of four mixed-media works inspired by Rikki Ducornet’s literary concept of the same name. This series intersects elements of the natural world with the complexity of personal identity. Branches, leaves, flowers, animals—each of these natural elements showcase the struggle that comes with carving out an identity, of building a vocabulary to describe one’s interests and experiences. The use of watercolor, graphite, and ink in each piece demonstrates how the essence of the self can’t be fully contained or defined by any single individual medium. This series expands on previous works by the artist that explore naturalistic elements and identity. Flowers permeate the subject matter of multiple observational studies, looking at how they express both vitality and decay. Likewise, personal identity is explored in two ways: the first is through the physicality of the body by manipulating and doubling the appearance. The second is through objects of importance like enamel pins or notable themes from literary works. By combining these topics, the artist looks to eschew the human form and use natural elements as a framework for communicating the self. Everyone has certain ideas and objects that gain a significance unique to them over time. This is the heart of what Deep Zoo aims to explore: that one’s interests are not merely external influences, but meaningful extensions of a core being.
