Animalia

My thesis collection titled, “Animalia” contains themes of Regalia, Americana, and Animalia, and invites the viewer to look closer into its fine details. I manipulate and re-frame representational imagery of animals from vintage illustrations, to highlight how humanity and nature are interconnected. I combined vintage decals of animals on enamel with technically intricate designs and sparkling colored stones, while drawing inspiration from American Gothic and botanical imagery and creating hidden visual messages. In every piece, I surprise the viewer when they pause and look closer. The pieces in this set are kitsch, over-ornamented, and use levity to honor the animals that are depicted.