This collection collages a whirlwind of emotions from the last two years. Individual pieces focus on the lingering effects of the pandemic, the inherent existential dread of senior year, and the expectations of identity within my experience as a biracial queer person. Bouncing between apathy and animosity, the constant across each work is isolation. I felt disconnected from my friends, family, and myself. Understanding the relationship between my rage, embarrassment, and shame was complicated, and I blamed myself for that. Thus, unable to unpack in words, I turned to the abstract. Titled in reference to Soft Cell’s 1981 song—one that got me through senior year of high school—my collection “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye” speaks to the turbulence of growing up and seeking community. Transcending the personal weight each piece holds, it implores the viewer to reflect; what is left when the dust settles and the overture ceases? At what cost have you reached clarity? What have you gained? “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye” is an exploration of spiraling emotional turmoil, as well as a nod to the quiet peace left in its place.
Mixed media (watercolor, marker, pen, pencil)
