Sarah Lovitt

With this body of work, I intend to call into question the difference between what is acceptable to share through art versus social media.  Artistic methods take into account the technique and skill level, thus enhancing or distracting from the intended message.  Social media, however, comes with an implied connotation behind each message: needing attention, needing sympathy, boasting of good luck.  Acting as a theoretical Instagram of the Subconscious, my pieces portray feelings and events that have been deemed taboo to acknowledge or share publicly: the death of a friend, an unspoken desire, emotions we are collectively taught to stifle. The moments shared within this body of work are meant to give pause to the viewer, calling into question the aspect of reality: did this happen?  If so, why, when, where, how, to whom?  Why is this okay?  Is this okay? 

With this series, I sought to honor those who have helped me throughout my life despite being vulnerable themselves.  Not wanting to idolize them, I chose to focus on their hands instead.  I believe hands show a great deal of emotion and character without actually identifying the individuals.  This leaves the content more open to a personalized emotional response from the viewer.