Expression

2022

I wanted to explore the effacement and repression of men’s self-expression. In having men paint their torso, I wanted my subjects to treat themselves as a canvas. In enforcing a limited timeframe, I pushed them not to overthink their decisions—letting these artistic choices come from the heart. I chose to use the torso because it is not often portrayed as an expressive body part, particularly when compared to the hands, arms, or legs. Yet, I think the torso is the canvas closest to the heart—and this project allows men’s inspiration to be represented directly upon themselves. In having these men interact, I wanted to have them become a connected canvas, uniting in their joy of shared self-expression.