H. Bayne

June 3rd through June 16th, 2022

Gallery Hours - Wednesday through Sunday: 12-5pm

Artist Statement

Happiness, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust. Angels, water, flames, entrails, and bugs somehow were the first images that came to mind while analyzing my emotions. Each representative of something, but also representative of nothing. I incorporate many versions of myself in these five self portraits - the versions of myself that I allow emotion to take over reason and thought. Although each painting is a visual representation of my emotions and my body, the viewer can interpret the pieces according to their own experiences - creating an equilibrium of shared emotion between the viewer and the artist.

The process for completing each painting included a period of isolation for five days, in which I had to complete the piece by the end of day five. I did not leave my apartment, I only spoke to my roommate in certain cases, and I controlled what entertainment/media I consumed during this time. I triggered a singular emotion for five days by following a specific routine depending on which emotion was being painted, which included a particular diet, sleep schedule, personal routine, and many other aspects of daily life. I wanted to complete this experiment because I have always been intrigued by the use and interpretation of emotion in the fine arts. I yearned to understand how far I could push my emotions into my work, as well as understand how the viewer can emotionally interact with the piece. This series taught me a lot about myself and how I process my emotions.

I hope to create a space in which one can feel. I want the viewers to experience their emotions - not the emotions that I decided to paint, but their emotions. This series is very personal to me, of course, but I want the viewer to consider this series personal to them as well. Emotions are not scary, they are what makes us human, and sometimes art alone can help a person feel more human.