Each character, environment, mark, and symbol present in my work is part of a fictional realm I have created. This domain is not particular to any one location; rather, it represents the manipulation of truth and surrounding through the lens of one’s fear. Fear distorts and exaggerates perception. The scope of my work reads as a continuous narrative that demonstrates the relationship between our fear of the external environment and the affect this has on our individual subconscious. To communicate this connection, I produce a visual language that triggers a visceral response in the individual. My monsters incite fear and reflect our vulnerable condition. Each creature’s mutation represents the imperfection of humanity and impurity present today in our highly involved and fragmented civilization. A dense composition with bold color and thick line pushes forward towards the viewer eye and creates a sensation that is overwhelming to the participant. This feeling recreates the experience the human feels when faced with the challenge of existence in an exceedingly developed setting. This sensation leads to excitement and exhilaration. It is this emotion that appeals to our senses. An atmosphere that thrives on chaos creates a dynamic terrain for the audience to romp around in, but it can also swallow our humanity and cause desperation. My work communicates our moral frailty in the midst of environmental distress. In considering how both body and mind react to the imagery I present, I am able to ignite an emotional response that allows the viewer to experience the message being told.
-Jacqueline Levine 2011
