Mike Cochiolo

Illustration+Design

I create works that represent negative emotion such as fear or anger as a means to show vulnerability.  My work prompts others to be vulnerable and express how they truly feel in the face of a society so contaminated by judgmental thought. People use shame to control others and I think many people, myself included, take for granted how much our beliefs are rooted in this toxic mentality. The use of shame as a means of policing a population or any group of people is intrinsic to human nature, but people forget that we have our own individual agency. We all have the ability to rise above superficial judgement and express ourselves in any way we choose. I utilize disturbing imagery as a means to bring people out of complacency, hoping to create a way of questioning preconceived notions of normality or as an incentive to reflect on your beliefs.

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