ARTIST STATEMENT
The current body of paintings serves as an exploration of my experience working as a surrogate family member and caregiver to five individuals at the end of their lives. While death is a ubiquitous experience, my work serves as case study, analyzing my own emotional responses to and observations of their dying process and death. I am specifically curious about the linguistic and psychological phenomena that facilitate the use of symbolic language, as a means of coping with our own mortality. I encourage viewers to question: How do we talk about our own death and dying? Why do we change the way we speak to make imminent death more palatable and accessible for our loved ones? Why do we use certain words to describe death?
Discussion of my proximity to the dying process prompts many responses, although most revolve around the challenging and assumedly dark nature of the work. In defiance of this, I create counter narratives through symbolic and observational painting; placing emphasis on the interaction between light, darkness, and the subjects of each composition.
BIO
Mallory Schultz was born in Albany, NY and attended Connecticut College, receiving a B.A. in behavioral neuroscience with a minor in art. Through her behavioral science course work and a summer spent working as an end of life caregiver at the Joan Nicole Prince Home, Schultz became fascinated by the neurological underpinnings behind why and how we communicate our emotions. Through both qualitative research and artistic expression, Schultz has investigated how people convey gratitude, hard news, and sorrow; as well as looking introspectively at how she herself processes these emotions. She now resides in the Albany area and currently works as the Art Collections & Exhibitions Fellow at Union College.
EMAIL: mschult2@alumni.conncoll.edu
PHONE: 1 (518) 505 - 0896