Artist Statement

Starting in the year 2000, I began a series of self-portraits based on various aspects of my unconscious. The images in this series illustrate such identities as the masculine/feminine, wounded/innocent child, the primal instinct, and the 12-year-old boy.

This identity process continued to intrigue me and took me in two opposite directions. I first, began confronting my own demons such as guilt, stagnation and dishonesty in the "Monster" series, another group of self-portraits. These images, took me to a level of darkness that I felt I needed relief from. I needed empowerment, an icon I could identify with, someone I looked up to in my childhood - I became the superhero - Wonder Woman.

The Superhero series, which developed from the Wonder Woman self-portrait, has enabled me to share my experiences with others. The models become their childhood idols, who are powerful, sexual and invincible.

I believe these characters live within all of us and from combined experiences weave an intricate pattern to make us who we are.

Both the Super Hero and Monster series' are still in progress. Each series consists of approximately 15 images currently.

Bobbi Bennett