In dealing with social constructs of the body, gender and sexuality have been two aspects I’ve been inspecting. How we are raised, how to behave and how to react. Through this investigation I have set up installations where the viewer is confronted with the body as a construct. Using a technical approach to painting and combining it with a knowledge of space I create environments.

To separate myself from the literal human body I have turned to my female pet rabbit, Patina, as a model. She has a very interesting relationship with my male rabbit, Fujoe. Her relationship parallels certain aspects of gender inequality. In a rabbit’s social hierarchy, grooming plays a key role in determining dominance. She constantly grooms Fujoe, and Fujoe rarely grooms back. Forcing her head under his chin, she attempts to gain equality and sometimes dominance over Fujoe, though in the end she is the submissive rabbit. Whenever Fujoe won’t reciprocate Patina’s licks, she violently mounts Fujoe in retaliation.

She has become a symbol of power and aggression in a delicate and petite body — a perfect facsimile of myself. I am realizing the similarities I share with her, and how constructs of gender and sexuality are similar within species.