Wanted
In 'Fugitive Portraits' I condense the narratives formed by the tattoos of fugitives wanted for common crimes to develop their constructed identity into an object through the mediation of material process, and craft. My methodology is based on the factual details found in legal and news media documents. I select hoods from cars specific to the circumstances of each fugitive to compose each portrait.
The impersonal list format of Most Wanted postings allows me to consider the tattoo descriptions abstractly, contemplate larger connections and ideas, and begin to access the character and personality of each fugitive as they have constructed it through the choices of images and graphics engraved on their flesh.
While tattoos are permanent, the status of each individual fugitive is fleeting. Once they are deceased or captured, my approximation of their constructed identity no longer functions as a surrogate but gains different meaning as an artifact or memorial.