Artist Statement:
Artists often refer to “the relationship” with their work, but when the work is made on the flesh of other human beings, the relationship between the artist and the work reaches new heights. My canvases are the bodies of my friends and family. I am emotionally connected with my canvases, and because of that my work has great meaning to both the canvas and me.
It is a challenge to work on a living, breathing, surface. Each work of art is met with unforeseen challenges that are presented by the canvas, and I’m required to quickly adapt and solve problems. All of my works were completed with a layer of white face paint down as a safe primer, and then acrylic paint on top. After I complete painting on my canvas, immediately position, and photograph them.
My work reaches new ideas and concepts that the average viewer doesn’t fully grasp. Puzzled by whether the artwork is two dimensional or three dimensional, a painting or a photograph. Sometimes the key to make your work jump off the canvas is to not use a canvas at all.
It is a challenge to work on a living, breathing, surface. Each work of art is met with unforeseen challenges that are presented by the canvas, and I’m required to quickly adapt and solve problems. All of my works were completed with a layer of white face paint down as a safe primer, and then acrylic paint on top. After I complete painting on my canvas, immediately position, and photograph them.
My work reaches new ideas and concepts that the average viewer doesn’t fully grasp. Puzzled by whether the artwork is two dimensional or three dimensional, a painting or a photograph. Sometimes the key to make your work jump off the canvas is to not use a canvas at all.
About:
Emily Mead is currently a Senior at Deep Run High School. She is now going into her third year in Deep Run's Art Program lead by Mike Guyer. She has always enjoyed making new works not only in her art class, but also in her free time. She has been winning prizes for them ever since 5th grade. Emily is planning to pursue art throughout the rest of high school and take classes in college; however, is going to college at Christopher Newport University to become a pediatrician.
