Toxic Tales

Mixed-media self-portraits series examining online personas, identity performance, and the behaviors fostered by social media culture.

clicking on a thumbnail will open the images in a lightbox.

Baiter

Incredulation

Catty

Catfisher

Claws-Out Troll

Fake

Lurker

Screen Persona

Faux Friend

STATEMENT

Toxic Tales is an ongoing mixed-media self-portrait series examining online personas, identity performance, and social media behavior.

They speak as an ambiguous commentary on the behaviors fostered by social media. Through self-portraiture, compositing, and digital painting, I reflect on the way people portray themselves in the metaverse.

Conceptualization is at the heart of my artistic process. I tackle each project by asking myself, "What do I need to do? What materials should I use? How should I present it?" In order to effectively communicate my message.

While the series originates from photography, it refuses to be confined by it. I combine my own photography, digital collage, and digital painting in each image, then print and meticulously hand-varnish the final works. The intensiveness of my process mimics and is integral to the concept of creating and maintaining one’s online persona. By breaking free from conventional limitations and merging diverse artistic techniques, I create thought-provoking pieces that transcend boundaries and challenge perceptions.

MEDIA

Original photographs, digital collage, digital painting and drawing, pigment inkjet print on

DIMENSIONS

Image: 16”w x 20”h; Sheet: 17”w x22”h

EDITION

3/3 EV +1 AP

EXHIBITIONS

PNM Contemporary Photography in Hawai’i 2026, Downtown Arts Center, Honolulu, HI

RECOGNITION

2026

PNM Contemporary Photography in Hawai’i Halekulani Corp. Portfolio Award

2023