this dream, america

My work focuses on the evolving relationship between performer and audience. My current paintings are from snapshots of karoke singers that express isolated moments of angst and ecstasy where stardom and fandom converge. I aim to capture anonymous exaggerated expressions of soulful moments as artificial proclamations of empowerment. My paintings depict the ritual of fame worship and rock 'n' roll rebellion while referencing earlier representations of rapture—Caravaggio in the age of American Idol.
The paintings from the "Starstruck" series depict audiences from MTV's show Total Request Live, crowds at tapings of The Today Show, and fans lining red carpets of movie premieres. These portraits exist in a middle ground, where fans come as close as possible to fame by both being on TV and in close proximity to their idols. My work draws on the parallel between entertainment and religion and points to the modern transcendental nature of fame.