Paul Nissenbaum
Duality
East Carolina University
Digital Fuji Film Transfer
18” x 22”                                           

Artist statement about the piece
I am a homosexual male.  Admitting these words redefines my identity and begins my life anew.  I utilize myself as the subject choosing to explore the intricacies of reawakening.  Within my work, I develop characters to embody an unrealized self, which may involve my image or abstracted creations that serve as surrogates.

The artwork, Duality, was created at a time in my life when I was still in conflict over my sexual orientation.  I began to question the necessity of resigning my life to a lie or taking control of it.  Looking back, it was one of my first steps towards living an honest and meaningful existence. 

Short bio about the artist
Paul Nissenbaum recently graduated from East Carolina University in May 2012.  He received a BFA in Art with a concentration in Painting/ Drawing and a concentration in Photography, along with a Minor in Art History.  He plans to attend graduate school within the next 2 – 3 years in painting, photography, or interdisciplinary arts.