Mors Mortis
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This is a series I began in 2012. It was my thesis series for my BFA at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. I am still continuing to work through it. I don't know if I will ever be finished with it. The series is largely composed of colored pencil drawings on watercolor paper. There are two paintings to the series, the woman in the poppy dress where the series title comes from - Mors Mortis. She will continue on; the solider will not. Considering what the series is about it is suiting.
Artist Statement
Why do human beings have the need to try and explain the unknown? If we as a people cannot explain an unknown existence then we often try to represent it in one way or another. The phenomenon of death is one of these uncharted questions and beliefs for each individual. All beings will eventually die. Everyone knows this, what we don’t know is what comes after. Through the centuries we as individuals have tried to explain our mortality through symbolism and myth. My work focuses primarily on these representations. Ironically the meaning of death is often applied to another living mortal; whether that be human, animals, or vegetation. The portrayal’s I have chosen to work with derive from the lore of ancient through present day society. I have created a series of paintings and intricate drawings that impersonate the natural world in which to replicate these beliefs. In doing so I am stating that no matter what culture or time we live in, we are all connected through this mortality.
Artist Statement
Why do human beings have the need to try and explain the unknown? If we as a people cannot explain an unknown existence then we often try to represent it in one way or another. The phenomenon of death is one of these uncharted questions and beliefs for each individual. All beings will eventually die. Everyone knows this, what we don’t know is what comes after. Through the centuries we as individuals have tried to explain our mortality through symbolism and myth. My work focuses primarily on these representations. Ironically the meaning of death is often applied to another living mortal; whether that be human, animals, or vegetation. The portrayal’s I have chosen to work with derive from the lore of ancient through present day society. I have created a series of paintings and intricate drawings that impersonate the natural world in which to replicate these beliefs. In doing so I am stating that no matter what culture or time we live in, we are all connected through this mortality.