Artist Statement

My new work reflects GEN-Z’s fascination with perfection, social media and beauty. With the use of AI reality becomes lost. Today’s technology reflects twisted “truth’s,” idealized representation and false iconic beauty. Filters are used to change facial features, skin color and erase any aspect of self a person dislikes. 

By using apps and photographic manipulation as a reference, I am presenting in my paintings both the positive (skin tones and lighting) and negative (teal photographic negative) all at once. Intertwined with large bearded Iris within the composition which is a symbol for Hope.

The figure becomes lost in a sea of shapes, colors and lighting that have been partially reversed visually, resulting in abstract chaos that is meant to convey the state of our world today.

I am exploring the psychological disjunction in our contemporary life caused by its fast pace and rapid changes.  The youth of today have too much information, they struggle to keep their personal and/or cultural identity and try to make sense of reality. Their world has become Filtered.

Deborah Barr 2025