Hanna Kesty

I am not one to make myself the center of attention, therefore self-portraits or any aspect of myself were never an obvious choice. My work is developed from a personal narrative through drawing and printmaking, and is an opportunity to have an open conversation about mental health as a complex form that has multiple parts and pieces. Innocent, metaphorical objects help illustrate a variety of internal disruptions of that form. During the production process of a drawing or print there is a conversation of acknowledgement and honesty happening between these objects and myself. These objects are depicted in minimalistic settings dominated by negative space forcing the viewer’s attention on the object. Due to the minimalistic settings there is a somber and desolate disposition that dominates the objects, such as a wooden chair, vintage TV, a hare and tree trunk mask. The pieces/objects are typically depicted distressed and covered with two-dimensional string to emphasize internal distress and chaos. Visual cues help the viewer in navigating the composition. Artistic influences stem from lithographer Kathryn Polk with her use of a realistic and imagined figure, as well as her muted color pallet, and from mixed-media artist Toba Khedoori and the solitary spaces she creates with minimal imagery. Other influences are words. Words are powerful; from poems such as milk and honey by Rupi Kaur, to music, or simply everyday conversations, words shape our day to day lives. Mental health is different from person to person, yet every person can relate to other people’s stories to a certain extent. It is something that should be openly discussed and not dismissed or suppressed. With this discussion I am connecting to others universally and possibly helping them figure out their own parts and pieces.https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/art399/1052/thumbnail.jp