A Modern Renaissance-Revival of Self

With the endless conditioning and marketing of social media, society places great emphasis on the façade of famous icons, elevating them onto high pedestals and propelling them to God-like status. While we remain awestruck and follow their every move, we know nothing about their authentic selves, nor will they ever know us. The consequence of this imbalance is a failure to truly recognize the significance and value of our own lives and how wonderful and amazing our own unique selves and the people around us sincerely are.

The Renaissance was a revival of consciousness that brought forth a naturalistic rumination of a newfound certitude. The ideologies of man made a clear shift focusing on a new and modern idea of individuality. Utilizing this concept and the current state of man, engulfed in social media, this body of work challenges humanity as a collective whole to create a revolution that shifts their outward focus to one’s own self and sees their authentic life, loved ones and who they extraordinarily are, in an unqualified royal state.

“Modern Renaissance, Revival of Self” examines the significance of the Renaissance Movement by the creations of similar portrait styles of the Renaissance period to challenge society’s idolatry of stars. My effort to create these portraits is an attempt to harmoniously integrate history and modernity by embracing art history with contemporary photographic and printing techniques. It is a nod to the great painters of light, oils, and shadow. This series is inspired by the history of the High and Low Renaissance, Flemish still life paintings, and the work of contemporary portraiture, in hopes that the viewer perceives their life as the greatest event in history.