Occupied

The central theme of this mixed media art portfolio is obsession--the constant focus on an idea that is magnified when one is without company in a private space. This concentration was inspired by Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper.”

When I started to develop this portfolio, I explored themes concerning psychiatric treatments meant to curb mental problems. After exploring those manipulative, restraining techniques, I instead decided to visually symbolize obsession in more visceral imagery. Surfaces covered in layered, disorganized papers symbolize an occupied mentality and constricting ropes and straps display this obsession that covers the corners of these small rooms.