Janelle Rae

MFA - Art & Design - Sculpture

Suffering Juicebox 

My interest lies in how memories and trauma affect our identity, gender, and perception of self. Through exploration of materials and ephemera, I delve into how time shifts can affect most people's recollections and blur their perceptions. Building forms with found objects and cast materials allows me to reconstruct collections of moments on the brink of being forgotten, yet still so vivid. Employing humor allows me to broach the uncomfortable bits that often rise to the surface. It becomes a dialogue of joy and discomfort. Referencing domestic spaces with exterior views, I invite you to LOL through the pain with me. References and humor are brought together in environments that challenge the accuracy of remembering. Each piece amplifies the strangeness of our experiences while holding onto something that seems all too familiar.