Self Portrait

Jennifer Gomberg

ARTIST STATEMENT

Originally a mixed media self-portrait project for art class, I realized that by exaggerating the various mediums, I could emphasize my feelings toward growing up and figuring out myself as an individual. With so many more responsibilities and freedoms, it is quite overwhelming to think of myself as a young adult. To me, it almost seems like an inverse relationship: the older I become, the more unsure I am about my identity, my ambitions, and my future. 

By using chalk pastel, paint, and collage strategically, I expressed my confusion. I wanted to make sure that I looked as realistic as possible, but make the background look a bit more abstract to further show that this is more of a psychological conflict. My face is looking downward in order to portray myself in deep thought. For my face and shirt, I used chalk pastel because it is an easy medium to control. However, acrylic paint was used for my hair, as it is more expressive. I abstracted the background by using collage. Despite all of these diverse mediums, they somehow create unity. Similarly, once I find all the right pieces, I will be able to find my trueidentity.

Adolescence can be a confusing time, so I hope that when other teens look at this piece, they know that they are not the only people who feel this way.