Heather Farrell
Title : My Venus de Willendorf
Materials : Mixed media on canvas
Date : 2020
Dimensions : 4′ x 4′
Description : I was inspired by the ongoing racial inequalities and racism plaguing America. I have been interested in the history we are taught from a young age and what this history is geared toward accomplishing and for whom. I find it interesting who dictates what history is important and what can be commodified and taken for one group’s benefit over another. The Venus is an important historical and artistic discovery and I use it as a symbol for the capturing of a culture, an idea or a virtue for one group’s gain over another. I also use plastic Hawaiian lei as the capturing rope because lei have more recently been used as a very touristy, sometimes cheapened symbol for American excess and materialism. After all, the American government overtook indigenous Hawaiian culture and sovereignty for their own gain. Important symbols and histories can be cheapened and watered down and manipulated over time. If we are not watchful, the history can be changed forever.
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Heather Farrell works primarily with pastels on paper. This medium works well for Farrell because it allows her to work more loosely and enjoy the art-making process more. Farrell often finds inspiration from nature elements and aims to address ideals surrounding beauty and the search for perfection in today’s society. Farrell often observes this in the bombardment of internet/social media images. For Farrell, the search for perfection takes a life of its own and often leaves people feeling empty, as if certain ideals of beauty can never be fully realized. Farrell especially finds it interesting and disturbing that as we become slightly more advanced we in turn try to change nature and natural beauty; bend it to our will for our own needs.

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Other Artwork by Heather Farrell

Description

Heather Farrell works primarily with pastels on paper. This medium works well for Farrell because it allows her to work more loosely and enjoy the art-making process more. Farrell often finds inspiration from nature elements and aims to address ideals surrounding beauty and the search for perfection in today’s society. Farrell often observes this in the bombardment of internet/social media images. For Farrell, the search for perfection takes a life of its own and often leaves people feeling empty, as if certain ideals of beauty can never be fully realized. Farrell especially finds it interesting and disturbing that as we become slightly more advanced we in turn try to change nature and natural beauty; bend it to our will for our own needs.