Medium: Scraps of material glued onto canvas, acrylic paint, glitter

Size: 9" x 12"

This series emanates from the concept and question of what are the components of identity; in terms of a visual and colorized expression of the physical, emotional and experiential elements that create an individual’s identity. To begin, underneath the framework of the grid of acrylic paint is a collage of glued scraps of old clothing, which I consider to be the hardware attached to an identity… certain physical attributes we cannot change, i.e., where we are born, where we were raised, where we went to school, etc. Some areas are raised, intentionally created to visualize challenges in life.

Additionally I used old clothes because those pieces of cloth are also an extension of one’s physical life. Building on top of that hardened structure (which cannot be changed), the acrylic paint represents the individual formation of identity from the millions of physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual and creative interactions people have throughout their lives as a being. Honestly, there are not enough colors to accurately express that visual. I then added strips of glitter to showcase the highlights or bright experiences which people hopefully have during all the days of their lives on earth. Each one has its own unique “story.”