Creatures of Mischief Manor examines how systems of power and hierarchy disguise violence beneath innocence, using childlike imagery and unsettling narratives to reveal the tension between play and cruelty. The history of child labor within the Chicago Stockyards has inspired me to include imagery of meat and children who wear masks that represent each as an animal, hiding their true identity which allows them to commit disturbing and vile acts. The inclusion of toys reminds the viewer of the age of these characters while connecting them to the work, as some toys may look familiar to the toys they had in their childhood. The narratives I build investigates childhood wonder and cognitive dissonance which asks the audience question, “Is the world she created truly menacing or just a fantasy?”.
Through the use of graphite, ink, and Conté crayon I am able to create highly detailed drawings that intend to make the audience laugh while bringing them a form of shock value. The use of cross hatching techniques mimics Victorian illustration and old children’s books, representing nostalgia that can be joyful yet horrifying. By using the composition of Victorian portraiture, I am able to tell the audience that artwork can be fun to look at while feeling fear and discomfort. I consistently want to create new stories with strange characters that are doing strange things.
-Dalila Mendez
Dalila Mendez 