What Is Unknown Category?
An accurate description of my work as well as my own identity.
Unknown Category means many different things to me but at its core it represents freedom and self exploration. Upon graduating from MassArt in 2022, I rediscovered drag in its entirety. I then realized the majority of my hidden original sketch book characters were all reflections of me…so basically I was doing drag in 2D! Gag. After that I started to challenge who I was and who I want to be as well as where I want to take my art moving forward. I started to really see the power of change and fearlessly walking into the unknown. Although that’s forever a WIP.
Combining these characters with drag iconography has expanded what I thought was capable in my practice. From this, I realized an entire world was born, a world with different rules and ideals. A series of unconventional alternative characters that exhibit their most authentic, raw side emerged. Characters that wear whatever, talk however, and be whoever they want to be unapologetically. Imagining a world where conventional beauty is not the standard while allowing viewers an entry point through recognizable motifs. A world that not only encourages others to be themselves, but highlights abnormality as the standard.
We learn to fear change, to fear the unknown, but the unknown is where we all belong. There’s power to breaking the mold and allowing others a window into what could be should they release the stigma. When you step outside of your designated box the world becomes much more saturated with possibilities and ideas. Switch up your style, go to new places, listen to new music, discover new cultures and free your mind! Your views may change, your morals may shake, your internal world might crumble for a bit, but that’s growth. That’s change…the biggest unknown entity.
The Artist
UC
My work has more or less revolved around the human figure for as long as I can remember. Growing up on various Western and Japanese cartoons, I became fascinated with the human figure and all the different characteristics that make a person who they are. Clothes, accessories, body language, emotions…all key elements to creating unique character designs. It seems pretty simple to do but humans are beautifully complex creatures and every detail matters when it comes to making a character not only unique but believable. With that being said, I’d like to create a world with my own characters brought to life that people can connect with on a personal level like I did growing up. But there’s a slight difference between creating a single character and creating an entire world so let’s just call that a long term goal. However throughout the recent years I discovered a love for posters, album/single covers, music, fashion and printmaking which has opened new doors for me. I’m curious how these different paths will lead to my long term goal but excited nonetheless. While I explore these different interests, I plan to continue this new path of self expression through portraiture.
