USA, Bloomington Hill, Indiana State University, 2018

The Smile series references the themes of personal presentation, protection, reveal/conceal correlation and interaction. Pieces can be worn to express a true emotion, or used as a façade or barrier to intimacy.  Some are intentionally raw, thinly veiling the emotions within. They display joyous colours and shine; large beaming smiles attempt to mask hurt, abandonment, burden, fragility and emptiness. Their large scale represents the need to cover and hide behind a smile.

Utilitarian materials have a comfort and approachability to them, but also lack an innate preciousness, and so value is established by the user/viewer. I am considering how the value of a personal offering is decided by the recipient, regardless of its cost to the giver.