Samantha Treadwell
“Fun House”,2021
Artist statement :
Through my graphic and illustrative style, I created a series to show how children see the world by mixing fantasy with reality. This series depicts 3 characters inspired by my siblings and childhood memories. To depict a child’s imagination, I created distorted perspectives by using a cut out collage technique with acrylic paintings. This technique is influenced by contemporary artists like Kara Walker, known for her cut-out silhouette installations. Parts of these paintings are purposefully cut out and playfully arranged to extend beyond the standard frame. This creates an action filled story with 3 dimensionality that explodes off the canvas, similar to childrens pop up book. My bright and contrasting color scheme is inspired by 90s to early 2000s children’s tv shows like Rugrats, and Spongebob. I show the craziness of children’s emotions by depicting these characters adventuring to different spaces in an amusement park. This fantasy-like world is reminiscent of the boardwalk I used to go to in my youth. These mix of emotions that children experience from being happy to being scared, are part of being a kid.There are also similar emotions felt in a fun house.Thinking back on childhood, some reminisce on their experiences, while others wouldn’t dream of going back to that point in time. Similarly in a fun house, people experience different things, some good some bad. By rendering these simple figures in comical, colorful, and fun settings, viewers will be able to relate to this series and enjoy the adventure in the “Fun House”.
