Title Artist Statement / Curatorial Rationale
by Dorian Fostroy
The human mind is always plagued by what it has and what it
doesn’t have. My works explore all the ideas of desire: the things we wished we
had, or the things we wished we could change. By representing one’s desire, we
are materializing our wishes and making the universe hear our plea, and in a
way, wishing for these things even harder. Using sculptures, paintings, and
some things in between, I denounce either the reality of the events, or, on the
other hand, what the ideal situation would look like. To some extent, it could
be said that some of my works represent wishing to change the past, while
others desire an ideal future. I also
use the symbol of the key in several of my works to represent the possibility
of this wish becoming a reality. All of the works presented are very personal
as they are all desires that I have had throughout my years, therefore, all of
the paintings and sculptures show a piece of me. By using the mediums chosen, I
thought that it would add to the effect of these works being wishes, since if I
had had a more realistic approach and used photography, it might take the
fantasy element away from them.
The curatorial process of the works was based around an idea
of parallelism. There will be a center piece “Good Morning Death”, whose wish
is the most neutral, to the left will be all the works that want to change the
past, and to the right will be all of the ones wishing to have a better future.
In this way, the works are organized almost in a timeline, going from past, to
present, and finishing in the future. This organization will help the audience understand
the relationship between the works. The symmetry of the composition will catch
the audience’s eye to the center, which is the neutral piece. From this piece,
they will either see the works to one side or the other. This causes the related
piece to be seen together, emphasizing their thematic connection. On one side
“To Whom It May Concern”, “For My Father”, and “They Murdered My Youth”, will
all be together which will all have very strong feelings linked to them. On the
other side, there is “A Second Chance”, “Royally Indecisive”, “Forever Young”,
and “Adventure Is Out There”, which are all more hopeful works. Also, the
pieces representing bad pasts mostly contain reds and blacks while the other
side has more variations in color. This, again, emphasizes the difference
between the wishes to change the past and the wishes for a better future.
There is a relationship between the artwork and the viewer
created by having impacting works. Works such as “They Murdered My Youth” stand
out to the audience and intrigue them to learn more about the whole exhibition.
Since the works have various wishes, it is expected for at least one of the
works to be relatable to the audience. Through these works, I want the audience
to feel the pain behind the works and in a way, wish for the same wish as the
one represented in the artwork. Through my works, the audience will somewhat
learn untold truths about me because each work becomes a very personal wish.
Works such as “For my Father” shows my resentment and unhappiness towards my
father, which is not something that I talk much about. Therefore, I want the
audience to feel a strong emotional connection to the works.
Studio Work
A second chance by Dorian Fostroy
Linocut prints 53 x 24 inches
A second chance by Dorian Fostroy
Linocut prints (close up)
Some mistakes beg for a second chance. This artwork represents a second chance at life through the reincarnation of the subject. Inspired by Japanese art and the concept of minimalism, these prints are meant to transport the audience to another time and location, so as to start life anew. The repetition of the print shows how every second chance, although seemingly similar, they are all different in their own way. Personally, this piece represents a wish at a second chance.
Adventure in out there by Dorian Fostroy
Oil paints on policarbonate
6 x 4.5 x 8.5 each
This series of artworks are all snapshots of incredible looking places. With the intention of evoking wanderlust, these paintings all have in common the symbol of a tent, which correlates with ideas of adventuring. We cannot live our lives stuck in a cubicle without going out to explore the treasures of the world. The 3d aspect of this painting helps the audience feel a stronger curiosity towards the world. These paintings are all desires to travel the world.
For my father by Dorian Fostroy
Monoprint
During a difficult with my father, I simply had to produce this piece. In a way, I denounce the injustices he has caused in my life. The horns around the mouth represent his cheating, the eyeball with the dollar sign is his avarice, and his monstrous mouth and tongue represent his lies. The audience does not necessarily need to understand that this piece represents my father, but they should find that the subject is not wanted. In a way, I am wishing to have a better father.
Forever young by Dorian Fostroy
Oil on canvas, 11 x 14 inches
Self-portraits are a way to keep time frozen. By painting oneself in a particular time, the artwork is not only imbued with one’s presence, but also with all the memories that accompany the artwork. This painting will show a younger version of myself, one that had not yet lived through some defining events that where to come after the completion of the work. This painting serves as a wish to remember the good times of the naïveté of adolescence.
Good Morning Death by Dorian Fostroy
Installation
This painting is a man casually brushing his teeth, pondering on his own mortality. The bones visible from the man’s body can represent death in the painting. He has overcome his fear of dying and can start appreciating life even more. By having the subject do something mundane, idea of death can be normalized in a simple way. Since it’s painted on a mirror, the work invites audience to evaluate their own feelings towards death. This work wishes to overcome the fear of death.
Royally Indeciseve by Dorian Fostroy
Assemblage
This piece is a conceptual representation of the artist. Indecisiveness plagues my mind, and this conceptual piece works with this idea. Each key from the crown represents a choice that has not yet done, and so, it is put on the crown, making the artist the king of indecisiveness. Also, since the sculpture is mounted on a skull, it shows that the artist is indecisive to the bone. This work is a promise, and even a desire, to change this indecisive attitude.
They murdered my youth by Dorian Fostroy
Acrylics on canvas and paper pieces
This piece represents wasted adolescence because of the rules and obligation set on teens. The audience is supposed to be horrified at the child’s expression and try to understand the pain. I feel as if my own youth has been stolen, almost murdered, because of always having to me a studious person. The papers are my own papers corrected by teachers, which shows how a large part of this stolen youth is because of the educational system. In a way, this piece is a wish to not have a regretful youth.
To whom it may concern by Dorian Fostroy
Wire sculpture with fabrics
Inspired by unrequited love, this piece’s purpose is to represent a lonely heart. The heart itself is full of fabrics, objects, and memories, it seems healthy and alive and yet, it is alone. This piece shows an unfairness of life: wanting to give someone all your love but receiving none back. We have all felt this way before, so anyone will be able to relate to the artwork. This specific artwork is a desire of one day be fully and intimately loved.
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