III

(2019 - 2020)

III is a visual narrative that follows three girls in a forest. Casting myself as the protagonist(s) of the series, III expresses a mental state that is split between the past, present, and future. The girls follow one another, navigate an unknown terrain, and journey through an uncertain and unforeseeable future. Though each represents a different stage of life, the girls look identical to one another, donning the same white dress and long black hair. In this duplication, the girls retain qualities that are often associated with purity and naïvete, tying back to the inner child that inspires all of my work.

This particular project was loosely inspired by John Bauer's (1882 - 1918) illustrations for the Swedish fairytale of Princess Tuvstarr, in which a young princess strays from her castle and treks into a forest with a wise elk. As the two go deeper into the forest, the princess encounters malevolent forces and gradually loses her crown, dress, and gold heart locket.

Bauer's compositions are simple, utilizing dark -- sometimes almost completely black -- backgrounds to highlight the princess visually and thematically. III also follows this aesthetic, depicting the girls in white dresses that stand out against the brush of the forest.