Ashlee Rene Thompson

Trophy Wife

Acrylic and collage on canvas

20 x 20 x 2

2023

Working within the realm of painting and mixed media, I explore the relationships of materials and create a compound history of marks to examine femininity, societal pressures, cultural norms, and my subjective experiences with barriers and judgments. Beginning intuitively with each composition, I open myself to the experimentation of form, color, texture, and collage. As I continuously react and respond to the painted surface, an inner dialogue emerges. The artistic development provides a channel for introspection, allowing me to utilize memory, interpersonal relationships, and everyday observations. As a Southern woman who is challenging generational cycles, belonging and acceptance are juxtaposed with reflection and resistance. Incorporating collaged elements allows me to combine past remnants with contemporary practices to express my innermost thoughts and feelings.