Laura Olear
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Artist’s statement
This series of mixed media drawings is abstracted from biological imagery. They explore issues of control over one’s own health in the form of “self-inflicted” conditions or diseases.
Obesity, anorexia, smoking, tanning, excessive alcohol consumption, and self-mutilation can all result in a variety of potentially life-threatening conditions. One could argue, in fact many assume, that these conditions are self-inflicted. Others might argue that some of these conditions are genetically predisposed and therefore not under the victims’ control. I hope to bring forth the viewer’s biases regarding control/lack of control over one’s health.
It is my intention to elicit the tension between the discomfort of the content and the beauty of the form.
Anorexia (2008) 22″ x 30″ Mixed media on paper |
Cirrhosis (2008) 22″ x 30″ Mixed media on paper |
Complete White Out (2009) 22″ x 30″ Mixed media on paper |
Gout (2008) 22″ x 30″ Mixed media on paper |
Obese (2008) 22″ x 30″ Mixed media on paper |
Smoker’s Lung (2008) 22″ x 30″ Mixed media on paper |
LAURA OLEAR received her MFA in Painting at the Savannah College of Art and Design and her BFA in Painting and Drawing at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has been painting, drawing, curating, framing, teaching and medical illustrating for over 20 years. She has been featured in exhibits locally and nationally. For more information visit Laura’s Website, lauraolear.com.
Highlighted in Frontispiece Fall 2010 – Volume 2, Issue 3
Fall 2010 | Sections | Gallery
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