Surrogate (Found object, paint, and photography, 2025)
Surrogate is a sculptural installation paired with a series of self-portrait photographs that reflect themes of maternal separation, codependency, and withheld connection. Inspired by the controversial research of psychologist Harry Harlow, who explored attachment and maternal deprivation in rhesus monkeys, the sculpture closely resembles one of the “surrogate” mothers used in his experiments. This artificial form designed to comfort isolated infants mocks my own attempts at acceptance and comfort. Made from fabric and paint, the sculpture embodies the longing for a nurturing presence and the emotional void left in its absence. Accompanying the sculpture are seven self-portraits. Each photograph portrays a distinct emotional state and captures my relationship with the sculpture as a reflection of personal loss.
