What Lies Within

This piece is a self-portrait and reflection of my shaky relationship with taking care of and looking out for myself. My work captures the ways in which neglect wears down a person both physically and mentally. This life-sized humanoid dollhouse sculpture features hinged limbs and opens to reveal an assortment of collaged lithographs. The body parts are made of wood and covered in distressed images I photographed of my own limbs. Using these processes and materials allow me to create environments within small enclosures, which provides a sense of intimacy between the viewer and the doll. This interactive sculpture depicts the chaos, wear, and grief I've experienced in times where I've neglected caring fir myself.
The body references the delicate nature of paper dolls. Over time, as the doll is played with, the ink fades and the paper tears. This doll is also reminiscent of a pierrette, or feminine mime character, as they often paint their face to mask their true feelings to be perceived in an alternative way. Within the sculpture, there are several images taken of items, furniture, and landscapes of my childhood home. Each room within the dollhouse displays an internal battle I've gone through or am currently healing from. Through the decay and wear displayed throughout the piece, there are notes of remembrance and growth through the presence of flowers.

Displayed At: "Senior Capstone Exhibition: Tell All" (2024), Melton Gallery, Edmond, OK