A woman is bathing in a milky pink liquid, surrounded by bottles of Soylent (A soy based meal replacement).
The painting "Soymaxxing" explores the complex relationship between self-care, consumer culture, and escapism. Through the image of a person bathing in a milky pink liquid, surrounded by bottles of Soylent (a soy-based meal replacement), the painting critiques the stereotype of the "soyboy" as a weak or emasculated figure who uses soy-based products and media as a means of avoiding reality.
However, the painting also challenges this stereotype by presenting the figure in the bath as a self-aware individual who is engaging in a deliberate act of self-care. The milky pink liquid symbolizes the fantasy world that many people turn to as a form of escapism, while the bottles of Soylent represent the commodification of self-care as a consumer product.
As an artist, I am interested in exploring the ways in which popular culture and media can both reflect and shape our perceptions of ourselves and the world around us. Through "Soymaxxing," I aim to encourage viewers to reflect on their own relationships with escapism and consumer culture, and to consider the ways in which they might be using soy-based products or other forms of media as a means of avoiding their problems. I believe that art has the power to challenge our assumptions and to encourage us to think more critically about the world we live in. Through my work, I hope to inspire viewers to embrace their own vulnerabilities and to seek out more meaningful forms of self-care and engagement with the world.
Academic, Digital Painting
Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop on an iPad
2023
May 2023
"Student Exhibition," College for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan, May 12 - May 26 2023