The Nitty Gritty

2013

graphite, inkjet transfers, oil pastels, charcoal pastels, assorted pens, and India ink on assorted papers wheat pasted and machine stitched together

24x23in.

This work discusses the criticism a person faces by having a different stance or opinion overtime and was the beginning of my exploration into the concept of mob-mentality and where a person’s individuality and anonymity intersect. I intended for the two main figures to look generally similar, but still different to imply that this is part of the same physical entity with the middle stitching to represent an individual’s ideas forced together. It’s meant to be ambiguous as to which side is “Nitty” and which is “Gritty.” It’s natural for a person to change their stance on issues as he or she gains more knowledge. This is considered educating one’s self or gaining more experience as one gets older. But in some cases it’s frowned upon to come to a different conclusion after gaining more facts. It’s seen as someone being “out of place” or out of character, according to his or her respective group, no matter what the change. But changes such as these are part of the natural learning process of the human experience and to deny someone this room for growth stifles the pathways to maturity and stunts the intellectual capabilities of a progressing society as a whole.