Within and Without Itself, 2022

Artist Statement:
 

Within and Without Itself is a work that explores the idea of framing in a non-traditional way. Six various sized frames were scattered along the back wall of the room, to create an old styled gallery wall. In the middle of the wall, between the other frames, hung a large antique mirror. Both the frames and the mirror had gold, elaborate detailing. The room itself was curated to have extremely low lighting, with only two lights being projected down onto the mirror. Viewers were only allowed to enter the room one at a time to be completely alone with the work. This piece was created in hopes of challenging notions of the white cube. The gold frames reference an antique, gallery style that brings up notions of traditional art and ways of viewing. Yet this work goes against what would typically be framed in a gallery, by only showing the frames themselves. Leaving only the empty vessel of the frame allows viewers to consider the frame as the work of art instead. Furthermore, the mirror acts as a way to call attention to the one entity that is actually being framed; the viewer. As an individual engages with the work, they become the work. Being confronted by the mirror forces them to have a very specific experience, tied to whatever reality they enter the room with. Moreover, the mirror references the body as a sculptural element.

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