Picking Series – Laney Moyers
Picking Series
Statement:
Picking Series is an oil pastel exploration of the silent yet significant realm of compulsive picking, a physical manifestation of internal struggle and the human need for self-regulation. Each work captures a solitary representation of the artist engaged in the private act set against a backdrop of colors that contrast as well as showcase the internal chaos and numbness such behaviors often represent.
Picking is a compulsive behavior involving repetitive skin or hair manipulation, and its prevalence has risen in tandem with modern life’s escalating stress and anxiety levels. Skin and scalp picking and hair pulling affect up to 3% of the population, with increased prevalence among individuals with anxiety and mood disorders. The series progresses from the initial, almost unconscious moments of picking to those of heightened awareness and reflection. It invites viewers into a space of radical empathy, revealing the complexity of coping mechanisms that go unnoticed in the rush of daily life.
This collection serves as both a mirror and a window—mirroring for some their unseen experiences and providing others a glimpse into a tender aspect of human vulnerability. Reflecting the bold, unapologetic exploration of human conditions of Nicole Eisenman while capturing the dignified and resonant depiction of femininity found in the works of Pierre Boncompain and Manjit Thapp, Picking Series is an invitation to acknowledge, understand, and find a common ground in the shared aspects of our human experiences. Its pastel paintings contribute to the normalization of compulsive behaviors, shedding light on these widespread yet often concealed actions to encourage acceptance and understanding within society.
About the Artist:
My journey in art began with a focus on digital media, evolving through my time at Vanderbilt University where I discovered a passion for the inclusive potential of printmaking. This experience expanded my exploration into various mediums and deepened my conceptual approach, particularly towards themes of personal and communal narratives of struggle. My work strives to highlight experiences that are often marginalized, seeking to give voice to those silent conversations about the realities of living in socioeconomic hardship. Through this lens, I aim to connect deeply felt, shared experiences, such as the unseen challenges of menstruation and the unrelenting pressures on mothers in today’s society, with a broader audience.
