As both a painter and performer, my work explores the construction and representation of the femme and hyper-femme within its historical language, using a dynamic interplay of abstraction and figuration. Rooted in my experiences within the burlesque and drag communities, I am interested in moments that oscillate between the dramatic exuberance of on-stage performance and the underlying melodrama of the human condition.
Processing societal expectations and personal narratives as a woman, an artist and my experience as an immigrant, my pieces often reference cultural archetypes, both satirical and reverent. Burlesque serves as both subject and method, allowing me to examine themes of identity, sexuality, and origin. The performative elements of my practice extend beyond representation, engaging with the ways identity is shaped and reshaped in relation to external pressures and personal narratives. I am particularly drawn to how burlesque and drag destabilise traditional gender norms, reclaiming identity as a space of resistance. By depicting these subcultures, I highlight their cultural significance in an era where self-expression is increasingly politicised.
At their core, my works reflect a vibrant collision of decadence, desire, and disaster that celebrate the complexities of longing and belonging. Through these layered explorations, I aim to challenge conventional portrayals of femininity, while also navigating through intimate narratives, working to expand the conversation around performative femininity, positioning it as both a site of resistance and a space for radical self-expression.