From "I Hate Mickey Mouse" 2009

Samira Eskandarfar made this mixed media collage, From "I Hate Mickey Mouse," from who knows what - found images, paint, and a whole lotta attitude. There’s something so satisfying about how she throws together these clashing elements. The way the textures and colors collide feels like a deliberate act of defiance. I'm drawn to the way the artist uses the physicality of the materials to create this raw emotional experience. The images are all slightly ripped and askew, creating a sense of unease and instability. Notice the roses over the eyes of the central figure, obscuring the vision, a gesture that speaks to how we often filter our experiences. The cartoonish rendering of the pink cloud is such a contrast to the more serious, almost melancholic tone of the monochrome images. This piece reminds me a little of Hannah Hoch, who also used collage to express her feelings about culture and society, but Eskandarfar brings a totally fresh perspective to the conversation. In art, everything is up for grabs, and nothing is sacred.