States of Emotion

The spark for the States of Emotion series came in the spring of 2020, as the pandemic lockdown began. During this time, I rediscovered the unusual and intriguing busts of 18th-century Austrian sculptor Franz Xavier Messerschmidt. Using himself as a model, Messerschmidt captured a range of striking emotional expressions, which pushed the boundaries of traditional portraiture. His work inspired me to explore the complexities of human emotion in a more dynamic and personal way.

Amidst the isolation and uncertainty of that time, I started the project by using myself as a model. As restrictions eased, I invited others to sit for me—not to pose in the traditional sense, but to share their stories and experiences. These conversations naturally gave rise to moments of raw emotional expression, which I then captured in paintings.

For me, every portrait goes beyond mere visual representation. I aim to convey not only the physical features of my subjects but also an essence of their inner emotional life, a gesture that might resonate with viewers. Some emotions are straightforward and easily recognized, while others are more elusive. It is this ambiguous, interstitial space that intrigues me most.