Everybody’s Everything

Emilie Portesi

Major: Studio Arts, BA

The work I have made here originated from honoring the death of a young musician, Jarad Higgins (Juice Wrld). The passing of Higgins brought a calling to me to recognize all of the recent deaths of young rap artists. I wanted to dive deeper into the music of these individuals and their voice in society. In the music, the artists featured speaks on his experiences with addiction, gangs, and mental health very often. I have a strong passion to paint these artists because I feel that with their sudden passings, these artists voices are being taken away from them. Their struggles are important and do not deserve to be lost. I feel as if with the stigma that surrounds these artists; along with the usual habits around hip hop culture, their voice can tried to be silenced. With this, their memory is being silenced too. I think it is important to recognize all personal struggles; as well continue to express their feelings and thoughts through my art.

The process of painting these were very rewarding but also emotional. As an individual, I am extremely detail oriented and very technical. I think that part of me definitely speaks and shines through my work. It was important fro me to capture extreme detail in these paintings through their skin, tattoos, and eyes. In doing so, it was a slightly emotional process. My paintings being so photo realistic, as well as these artists being deceased, gave a strange feeling sometimes. In a way, the painting process made me feel a presence with them. Ultimately, I think it was a really unique and special experience, that allowed me to have a new connection to the artists and their music.

Personal Website: www.emilieportesi.squarespace.com

Contact: emilieportesi@yahoo.com 5037509112