"Through my work, I attempt at finding a form of truth in a world where lies proliferate, particularly on the internet, which is the same platform that on its introduction promised us accessible truths. My M.A. research topic, under the supervision of Professor Giuseppi Schembri Bonaci, dealt with post-truth and delved into how we choose our realities. Whilst carrying out my research I decided to focus on social media as it provides the optimal environment to proliferate lies and alternative realities. On social media we see realities we know are not true yet accept them anyway. Taking selfies gives us control as we decide what the final image will look like. Not the photographer. Not our friends. But the user has the opportunity to represent his/her version of her desired/current reality.
Polymorphs are crystalline materials that consist of the same chemical composition but have different internal structures. These structures can reversibly change from one form to another depending on temperature and pressure. Similarly the same behaviour is being exhibited by the models, and this is where the exhibition title stems from.
The paintings being exhibited deal with this 'human polymorphism', particularly with regards to appearances. The same subjects are being presented differently, one in a natural stance and one with a filter using a mobile app. In many of these works, there is an intentional economy in the portrayal of the portrait and expression.
This theme is being adapted to the self, to the behaviour that is exhibited online, where online users change their appearance and behaviour depending on the environment they are in, and this is done to garner more attention, popularity, and "likes".
Through 'Polymorphs' one can look at the same model but through two different lenses. The 'real' image (I say real as at the end of the day it's still the artist's view we are seeing) and the filtered image. The sitter can still be identified in both cases however when juxtaposed the differences are highlighted. Which is really the same when scrolling through social media. When we see someone on social media we immediately recognise the person and don't question that appearance however if we were to juxtapose that to their actual appearance (which is something in reality we do not have the opportunity to do) we would notice the difference. So in essence here I am placing the viewer at an advantageous point.
Another section of the exhibition is reserved for my own self portraits. Several male and female artists have in the history of art explored their own image for a variety of reasons, which, before the advent of photography, was the only way to record your likeness for posterity and to show another side of yourself, in women's case, often for reasons of self-promotion. In my case I am studying and observing my own appearance whilst using mobile filters. At times trying to peel away these filters to get to the truth of the portrait and other times simply accepting this new form of myself, as per societal expectations. This whole process was a journey of self acceptance. This exercise was not about vanity... Rather, attempting to understand what others wish to convey when portraying themselves as an enhanced version of themselves, appearance-wise.
This exhibition consists of mainly paintings and mixed media. However, l also enjoy creating installations. With my current theme painting feels like a natural choice. We are so used to manipulations with a number of media however painting is still regarded as a medium that seeks to show some form of truth, I try to do that. Yet in some cases I also paint lies intentionally. Thus the viewer thinks they are seeing something that seeks to represent the truth but in fact if they look hard enough they are in fact faced with a lie.
Through this exhibition I hope that viewers can reflect on our ever growing apathy towards truth and lies, and in having this realisation find the urge to counteract this.
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