Statement:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Picking Series<\/em> is an oil pastel exploration of the silent yet significant realm of compulsive\u00a0picking, 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\u00a0act set against a backdrop of colors that contrast as well as showcase the internal chaos and\u00a0numbness such behaviors often represent.<\/p>\n Picking is a compulsive behavior involving repetitive skin or hair manipulation, and its\u00a0prevalence has risen in tandem with modern life\u2019s escalating stress and anxiety levels. Skin\u00a0and scalp picking and hair pulling affect up to 3% of the population, with increased\u00a0prevalence among individuals with anxiety and mood disorders.\u00a0The series progresses from the initial, almost unconscious moments of picking to those of\u00a0heightened awareness and reflection. It invites viewers into a space of radical empathy,\u00a0revealing the complexity of coping mechanisms that go unnoticed in the rush of daily life.<\/p>\n This collection serves as both a mirror and a window\u2014mirroring for some their unseen\u00a0experiences and providing others a glimpse into a tender aspect of human vulnerability.\u00a0Reflecting the bold, unapologetic exploration of human conditions of Nicole Eisenman\u00a0while capturing the dignified and resonant depiction of femininity found in the works of\u00a0Pierre Boncompain and Manjit Thapp, Picking Series<\/em> is an invitation to acknowledge,\u00a0understand, and find a common ground in the shared aspects of our human experiences. Its\u00a0pastel paintings contribute to the normalization of compulsive behaviors, shedding light on\u00a0these widespread yet often concealed actions to encourage acceptance and understanding\u00a0within society.<\/p>\n About the Artist:<\/strong><\/p>\n My journey in art began with a focus on digital media, evolving through my time at Vanderbilt\u00a0University where I discovered a passion for the inclusive potential of printmaking. This\u00a0experience expanded my exploration into various mediums and deepened my conceptual\u00a0approach, particularly towards themes of personal and communal narratives of struggle. My\u00a0work strives to highlight experiences that are often marginalized, seeking to give voice to those\u00a0silent conversations about the realities of living in socioeconomic hardship. Through this lens, I\u00a0aim to connect deeply felt, shared experiences, such as the unseen challenges of menstruation\u00a0and the unrelenting pressures on mothers in today\u2019s society, with a broader audience.<\/p>\nExhibition<\/h2>\n