babymanji's photostream

i think my most-viewed picture here is a photo of my silver shoes, due to the reebok fetishists. how do you think that makes an artist feel? :/ but i am not opposed to laughing at myself or using self-depreciating humor.

i am inept and dorky.

i love sharks and use them frequently in my art.

Check my art blog angelahetherwick.blogspot.com for more of my shark work!

I currently have a solo show "Shark Girls" at lexander.co in downtown LA

Artist Statement


Fear has been a motivating factor for me throughout my entire life. I strive to come to terms with my own demons, phobias and emotional baggage by expressing these issues metaphorically in my art. I began using the image of the shark because it is intrinsically linked to the concept of fear. Thus, sharks as a symbol are powerful on many levels. For myself and many others, sharks are representational of the struggle between humans and nature. These animals serve as a horrific reminder that inspite of our knowledge and technology, there are still some creatures that cannot be tamed.

However, we essentially know little about sharks and they are highly misunderstood. This prejudice often results unfairly in their destruction, to the point of near extinction for some species. This enigmatic quality about sharks is appealing to me and is something I express in my pieces. My work plays with the idea of sharks as an apex predator, inciting terror and awe in dream-like scenarios. I also enjoy creating contrasts by juxtaposing the seriousness of sharks with something sugary and empty, like candy. These scenes signify my personal struggles and the chaos and confusion that often plagues my mind.

My work also explores feminist themes regarding gender and the roles of women in society, portrayed with violent fantasy imagery. These works are meant to contrast the frightening images of sharks with the innocent and sweet stereotypes of girls. In these pieces, the girls have control over something strong and terrifying. They wear the sharks as costumes, in a reversal of the “wolf in sheep's clothing” tale. It is my way of striking back against sexism by questioning gender dynamics and issues of power and domination.