“To make art about the mad, because the mad made art. Make art till you become mad. Romanticize the mad. The mad romantics. How surreal. Is romanticism mad?“

-Journal Entry 9.23.10

Insanity as a subject in art has lead to many discoveries both in art and with the insane. When considering the romantic paradigm and the art of the insane an astounding concept is investigated – is insanity brilliance? Within the structure of the mind of the mentally ill, the abnormally behaved, or the psychotic, it may be apparent there is suffering and pain. But when witnessing these individuals in an act of creativity it may also be apparent there is beauty, freedom, and a form of expression that is unknown to the sane. It can be, in some circumstances, an almost untouchable tap into just pure, raw, primitive creativity, or even the unconscious.

Romanticism within this paradigm refers to a new psychological reality, where primitive thought and creation can unveil a chaotic, disordered, yet beautiful inner world - a world that rejects certain normalcy within society and the moralities of reason.

I am also deeply inspired by the CoBrA movement in the ideal of primitive forms, and the surrealists in the use of unexpected juxtapositions. CoBrA was a European avantgarde movement active from 1949 to 1952. The name was coined in 1948 by Christian C. Dotremont from the initials of the members‘ home cities: Copenhagen (Co), Brussels (Br), and Amsterdam (A).  

I use art to unveil my inner world. I aim to create a visual relationship involving humor, sexuality, and self-awareness; to get into the negative or grotesque and find beauty; to reveal us all as equal and thereby humanize our enemies; to captivate an audience by admitting ignorance and raising awareness; to reeducate and present new, victimless theories; to discover the proactive qualities in our souls and determine provocative new paths.

I aspire to have my art come from a primitive instinct, like that of a child; to have my message be about something current – perhaps political or sexual, but nonetheless raw and educated – and confer such an emotional depth that the viewer feels informed, altered, acknowledged, hopeful and human.