Wendy seems to simultaneously poke fun at and explore her own neuroses, as well as those of others, in her watercolor venn diagrams, which are some of her funniest pieces. In showing all hypothetically possible relationships between sets of questions or realities, Wendy’s work evokes feelings akin to watching a dog chase its own tail. You know your issues are silly, but you still keep pondering them. Luckily, Wendy adds some color and visual stimulation to life’s quirks.
Her cartoons and character studies are also fantastic, almost all of which are composed while commuting on the subway or bus. The series is funny, heartwarming, and offers a look inside a mind of an artist constantly observing. We all notice strangers around us, but the way in which Wendy attaches stories, backgrounds, and even futures to people she will probably never speak with makes for another type of fascinating artistic observation.
The artist has also done some fascinating work in Africa. She designed humanitarian campaigns in Kenya and Rwanda, produced a film in The Democratic Republic Congo, sold used books, counseled survivors of torture, and served as a social worker and non-profit advertising campaign director. She even created and illustrated the national campaign for the first democratic elections in Rwanda. Wowzers.
At once psychological and playful, Wendy’s illustrations and paintings will draw you in and hopefully spit you back out with a few things to ponder, and laugh, about.
Everyone I've Ever Met and How is an ongoing project, 2005-present
Wendy is presenting an installation this Thursday, August 12th at Shoe Biz in San Francisco (1553 Haight St) sponsored by Onitsuka Tiger Shoes and Outside Lands music festival.
“And yes, I believe that does make me a sell out,” she writes on her blog. Hey, she said it. And it makes us want to attend all the more.
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