Self-Portrait of an Artist (2009)

I pose as iconic self-portraits by other artists, exploring the presence and absence of self and the construction of identity as both projected and reflexive. Beyond questions of selfhood, the work reflects on legitimacy and value as an artist. I insert myself into the visual language of established artists, while also not being an established artist myself. The project was referenced in Suzanne Paquet’s essay Reciprocities: Some Reflections on Not-so-illogical Conjunctions in Ciel Variable No. 95, Fall 2013.

Black and white photo of a person with short, messy blonde hair, intense eyes, multiple facial piercings including a septum piercing and lip piercings, and dark lipstick.
A woman with short blonde hair is spewing water from her mouth, with her hands raised and fingers spread, against a black background. She has tattoos on her chest and shoulders.
A woman with short, platinum blonde hair, wearing red lipstick, a pearl necklace, and a black top, seated indoors against a plain wall.
Person wearing a black mask with a crucifix on it, covering their eyes, with light-colored hair, piercing, and a dark pinstripe shirt, standing against a plain wall.
A person with blonde hair and tattoos sitting on a vintage chair, wearing a black shirt with two fried egg props on chest, ripped jeans, and black shoes, seated on a black-and-white checkered floor in an industrial-style space.