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L I S A R O S E N M E I E R
Measuring Up
2022
acrylic on canvas
18 x 24 in
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The pressure to conform to external standards of value, identity, and worth. The Maltese on stilts suggesting both aspiration and instability—an artificial means of reaching a perceived standard that is ultimately constructed and unattainable under the natural conditions of the dogs birth. Reflecting the tension between inherent identity and the desire for validation within established systems of hierarchy and perfection. The idea that these standards are not natural, but curated and upheld over time.
The work invites viewers to consider the ways in which they measure themselves against external expectations, and the quiet imbalance that can result from striving to meet them.
Symbolism broken down:
The small dog - the determined individual navigating systems that were not built for them, embodying both vulnerability and persistence
The stilts - an intentional act of elevation to compensating or adapting in order to meet external expectations
The paintings - are the established standards of admiration and value, reflecting the ideals against which identity and worth are measured.
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