Laguna College of Art + Design

As syntheses of my background in fine art, fashion and religion, The Cult of Beauty is

a series of realistic figurative oil paintings portraying a social-philosophical narrative. Based

on the concept that the human spirit longs for love and approval, these paintings examine

how a delicate self-worth can be undermined in a society where standards of idealized beauty

seem hallowed and venerated. An isolated female figure is depicted in religious-like rituals,

offering herself to appease her god of beauty. Both Biblical and Occult references are made

in order to enhance the idea of worship and broach the topic of choice with regards to this

paradox of freewill and servitude. Vintage fashion industry props and flesh-toned

foundational garments set the time and help stage the raw environment of these paintings

which promote a voyeuristic observation of human nature’s vulnerability when caught in the

universal struggle for acceptance.