Artist Statement by Courtnee Bennett
My artwork focuses on deliberate impressions inflicted on the human figure. The images expose the fragility of the body and relate it to the fragility of the Earth. By creating enlarged drawings of these terrains, I strive to make people aware of how their personal actions affect themselves, others, and the environment.
Throughout European and American histories, when conservative cultures, religious views, and political attitudes governed people, the nude human figure was shunned and rejected, even though it has been a primary subject in art. It appeared in drawings, painting, and sculptures from ancient times. Despite its strong historical influence, images of the nude human figure are not currently prominent in American art due to our predominately conservative society and socio-political issues. I maintain that the human body is a beautiful form worthy of respect and laden with meaning. For these reasons, I have used it consistently as subject matter for my work.
While depicting isolated regions of the body in order to focus on the spirituality, beauty, reverence, and exploration of the human figure, I realized that each experience a person has leaves an impact, or imprint, on him/herself as well as on other people. These imprints can be temporary or permanent, large or small, psychological or physical. As we create impressions on ourselves or other people, we also leave an imprint on the Earth. As environmental consciousness grows, people need to be aware of the impact they create not only on themselves and other humans, but also on the Earth. While the large disturbances need to be prevented, even small every day activities can cause harm. This series of work draws on the connections between the imprints on isolated regions of the body and impressions on the Earth created through human presence.
Drawing these impressions, instead of exhibiting them as photographs, allows for me to become more involved with each deliberate presence left by someone's actions. I use shading and different view points to enhance the viewers' perception of the terrain. I am not just an observer; I also need to be aware of how my actions affect myself, others, and the environment so that I can change and create a more desirable outcome.
My artwork focuses on deliberate impressions inflicted on the human figure. The images expose the fragility of the body and relate it to the fragility of the Earth. By creating enlarged drawings of these terrains, I strive to make people aware of how their personal actions affect themselves, others, and the environment.
Throughout European and American histories, when conservative cultures, religious views, and political attitudes governed people, the nude human figure was shunned and rejected, even though it has been a primary subject in art. It appeared in drawings, painting, and sculptures from ancient times. Despite its strong historical influence, images of the nude human figure are not currently prominent in American art due to our predominately conservative society and socio-political issues. I maintain that the human body is a beautiful form worthy of respect and laden with meaning. For these reasons, I have used it consistently as subject matter for my work.
While depicting isolated regions of the body in order to focus on the spirituality, beauty, reverence, and exploration of the human figure, I realized that each experience a person has leaves an impact, or imprint, on him/herself as well as on other people. These imprints can be temporary or permanent, large or small, psychological or physical. As we create impressions on ourselves or other people, we also leave an imprint on the Earth. As environmental consciousness grows, people need to be aware of the impact they create not only on themselves and other humans, but also on the Earth. While the large disturbances need to be prevented, even small every day activities can cause harm. This series of work draws on the connections between the imprints on isolated regions of the body and impressions on the Earth created through human presence.
Drawing these impressions, instead of exhibiting them as photographs, allows for me to become more involved with each deliberate presence left by someone's actions. I use shading and different view points to enhance the viewers' perception of the terrain. I am not just an observer; I also need to be aware of how my actions affect myself, others, and the environment so that I can change and create a more desirable outcome.