Artist Statement: Brianna McQuade

In my work, I delve into the conflicting forces of my mind, navigating the opposing forces that exist within.

Sculptures unfold as I work between spontaneity and meticulousness, managing a tug of war between the obsessive and paralyzed. Clay acts as a tangible representation of the constantly moving, fast paced internal struggle I work to capture.

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Levity and satire become my brushes, which humanize and personify repetitive thoughts, compulsions, and anxieties. Humor emerges in a poignant way, becoming my tool to convey distress and fear through a lens of laughter.

Within the exaggerated expressions and comically distorted features of my sculptures, characters begin to tell stories.

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Disjointed fingers, nails, and extremities emerge, to take on the quirks and idiosyncrasies associated with repetitive thought patterns—becoming narrative figures in my work. Through their playful demeanor, they reflect struggle and fear, inviting others to witness trails of internal confusion.