Jazmine Mclaurin

Meat Locker

Meat Locker serves as an extension of personal experiences with mental processes and examining internal struggle. The crude piece features the calamity of vital organic structure in a brash and openly violent spread, capturing the utter confusion and abrasion of the endless battle against chronic depression. For years, I’ve been obsessed with knowing if I had tried enough during my time, or if there is truly something more to how I act, socialize, and think. The work not only showcases an inside view of what I face with each passing hour, but it is meant to become a part of the audience, to see that these struggles are common. I am enthralled by the study of organic systems and bodily function, and how that may shape one’s personality and view. Using non-traditional materials and experimentation, this piece reignites the meaning of spontaneous progress and unplanned result. Meat Locker is inspired by characteristics of the presence of vital organs as well as giving another view of one’s personal experience.

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Jazmine McLaurin

Drip, May 2020, Acrylic, spray paint, and yarn on canvas, 36” x 48”

Jazmine McLaurin brings forth the vulnerability and state of emotional stress through the form of texture and color. Drip follows the study of the decline of one’s mental health when coming to terms with the worldwide struggle of the coronavirus pandemic and emergency response. The use of yarn work represents the feeling of confusion and loss of hope, entangled in a sense of helpless optimism; life is said to be more exciting with surprises and not knowing what may be ahead, yet in this case, it focuses more on wishing for the best to happen and preparing for the worst. The dark, predominantly red color of the yarn reflects inner turmoil and the organic body system. The color palette represents the use of impending danger and emergency. Yellow represents the acknowledgment of an approaching threat, as it is soon dominated by red, revealing the true severity of the threat. The small inclusions of black paint, shadowed by the position of yarn represents the darkest fear of what is to come next, partially hidden by false reassurance and hope. Drip is the chaotic build of internal aggression and external response to a global state of emergency.