Artist Statement and Method for Concentration:
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I wanted to shed light on the power of speech by creating a concentration that personifies language through evocative shapes and patterns.
In the beginning of the series, I utilized cut paper, a blind contour of a speaker, and typography. My plan was to capture the imagery of echoes and reverberations, but after completing piece #3, I realized that I was portraying the concept too literally. Attempting a different approach, I began trying to encapsulate the rhythm of words by experimenting with shape motifs. By piece #5, I started to simplify my pieces in order to make them more appealing to the eye. This process led me to an increased awareness of positive and negative space, as well as portraying tension (the result of elements on the page colliding with one another) and release (when these elements push towards an open, free space on the page). The juxtaposition between tension and release reflects verbal persuasion. Some of the last pieces in the series include motif shapes of certain parts of the anatomy related to speaking and persuading to help portray my message. For instance, there are images inspired by the trachea and larynx (#8), the heart (#10), and eardrums (#12). Ultimately, I used rhythm, space, and shape to create a sense of sound and harmony which--- like language--- induces an emotional reaction.