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I am interested in creating clarity out of chaos. I focus on figurative art, and utilize distortion techniques as a way to process the painful experience of living outside of societal norms. My work is informed by the intersection of my identities as a fat, queer, depressed, trauma surviving, non binary woman. I want to create work that is simultaneously confrontational to my audience and myself, requiring a perspective shift on both our parts. I aim for intense volume in my work, often using high contrast color, which acts as a visual protest. 

 

My artistic practice developed in response to struggles with depression and needing to find a language to connect with others from within that isolation. Relying on instinct and reaction to direct my process, I am drawn to collage as a medium, because it is the literal ripping apart of people, events, and spaces that I then get to piece together on my own terms. The act of collage includes a taking of inventory, organizing, processing the material, and then creating a new narrative. That is quite a strong parallel to the therapeutic process. 

 

I am focused on deepening the power of self discovery in my work, while also honing my technical and conceptual skills to draw others into that dialogue. My influences include  Neo-expressionism, zine culture, DIY mentality, Dadaism, graffiti / street art, intersectional feminism, and the radical self acceptance movement. What interests me most in making creative work is reclaiming power as a lifelong practice.

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I am currently a third year studio art major at MTSU concentrating in printmaking and painting with a minor in psychology. Earning a BFA has been a dream for a long time -- a dream I put on hold to study something more practical when I was younger. I plan to continue on to a graduate degree in art therapy and use my creativity to serve both my artistic passions as well as provide guidance for others who seek to heal themselves.

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veronica leto

 

Multidisciplinary Artist & Zinester 

Nashville via NJ/NYC

Self taught + self publishing since 2004.

MTSU BFA 2022.