Katy J. May
Portrait in Motion, 2023
Paper collage
26" x 22" x 1"

Artist Statement

Collagist Katy J May creates abstract, close-up portraits utilizing magazine paper and found objects. The color palettes, facial expressions, and interlocking shapes work together to express the inner life of the central person. Utilizing the paper shape and content, monochromatic color palette, and paper placement emphasizes the person's conflicts and preoccupation, lack of concentration and overstimulation. Subtle imagery embedded in or swirling around the faces can illuminate the person's thoughts, feelings, and history. None of the paper fragments were drawn or Xeroxed. All were cut/torn and assembled by hand. This image is a story of a person and their inner life both in a moment and throughout their lifetime.

Artist Bio

Trained in illustration at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Katy J May creates artwork reflective of an illustrator's sense of space and story. Katy J May has been living in northern Virginia, outside Washington, for nearly 20 years. She has shown in galleries in VA, DC, PA and CA and has been published in journals such as University of Pennsylvania's literary journal, XConnect. She is the creative director of Plan B Press, a small poetry publisher.

@kjmaygallery

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