Abstract
This body of this work is about the negative impacts of social media; specifically addressing Generation Z and the millennial generations. I grew up into a world that was changing and quickly progressing into the online stage that it is at now. I first became interested in the impact of social media because of the impact it had on me. Once I created my Instagram account in freshman year of high school, it has enveloped me and the effect on me has been detrimental. Our popular culture sets physical attractiveness and aspirations of wealth as the highest goal and the measure of success. Since Millennial’s and all people of Generation Z have never experienced a world without these platforms, I know the effect goes beyond me. I am focusing on three components of social media platforms. They are:
1) money, wealth, and materialism,
2) obsession with physical attractiveness, and how it leads to superficiality and narcissism.
3) the emotional and mental impacts, which leads to low self-esteem and self-worth.
This work is targeted towards and a critique of social media both for myself, my generation, which is Gen Z, and Millennials. There are three parts to my show: the photographs, slideshow, and drawings. my intent of this show is to address the negative impact social media can have on its users. I hope to elicit a visceral, contemplative, relatable, even uncomfortable, and confrontational response to my art. I hope it makes people think about how social media affects them, their children, their friends and the society and culture we live in today.
Artist Statement
I am a multidisciplinary artist, working with paintings and drawings. I create work that is primarily figurative, but is also based upon my life experiences, emotions, current political and pop culture events, as well as my experiences as an Asian American transracially adopted woman. I reclaim my individuality, narrative, and authority through my work. I use oil paint because it is versatile, and I love the way it feels and looks applied on a brush to canvas. With my drawings, my primary medium is graphite and charcoal, because it’s simple yet is so expressive. My process is largely intuitive or from my own reference photos, or stock photos. My process starts with strong emotions within myself, from my lived life experiences, ethic/values, and politics. I am also hoping to convey a different take on a concept/idea, whether it’s philosophical, social, or political. Art making is therapeutic, healing, and introspective. Allowing me to think of life’s complexities from new perspectives.
