Welcome Home

Abstract

Expressionists used emotions to portray their work instead of relying on reality. In this movement, artists were able to challenge what art could look like. Through Expressionism came Neo Expressionism which was then broken down further into Black Abstraction. A big theme of my work relied on the physical responses and emotions that aroused from a person when viewing my work. Expressionism was first developed in Germany after reaction to the dehumanization effect of the industrialization and growth of cities. The work of expressionists have always been connected to the reflection of society. Welcome Home started to become my reflection of society. As I dealt with Graduate school, an explosive breakup, and a pivot in self identity. Through my art I was able to connect with myself on a more spiritual level. Eventually, my art practice became my spiritual practice. To work through the emotions I was going through, I used art as a form of communication to express my heartache. Throughout Welcome Home, my heartache involved my confusion on my gender identity and the love hate relationship of my ex and I. Due to me healing from the harmful actions of my ex, my wellbeing influenced my work, as I completely evolved not only within my identity and Blackness, but within my art practice as well.