Audrey Durio: Off the Hook

Audrey Durio: Artist Statement

I am a cheerful person that has been subtly manipulated and harmed both physically and emotionally. Before this I remember being vivacious. My positivity was unchallenged and I was carefree and confident. But now the sound of thunder overwhelms my quiet nights, and the spark I feel inside is much harder to harness, clouded like it is. My work is a direct result of this perceptual confusion caused by domestic abuse and explores my relationship with stress through a playful lens. I emphasize how silly my irrational behaviors and thinking patterns are by portraying absurd situations in my work. The serious content is then countered by its bubbly presentation. This reflects my style of communication; I discuss an experience of suffering in a way that is entertaining and digestible to create an optimistic conclusion. My work is not made to dwell on my inner turmoil, but rather to fully recognize and display resilience in the face of it.