Self-Centering: Seeing Through Self-Distortion

The author discusses two groups of work completed during her second year as an MFA candidate at the University of Notre Dame. These two distinctive bodies of work represent two explorations of self-portraiture based on distorted photographic images of the artist. These pieces, which feature images of the artist's face, are constructed with found fabric and other cloth that has been silkscreened with the facial distortions as a major element. Works by Robert Rauschenberg and Tracey Emin, two artists who have been major influences and research interests of the author during her time at Notre Dame, provide a contextual reference for the use of personal autobiographical materials.