Artist's Statement

"Where'd you go to (high) school?"
This uniquely St. Louis question begs consideration of stereotyping based upon specific locale.  Some perceptions and misconceptions about individuals are based upon where they live, where they grew up, and where they went to school.  These ideas are pervasive, and many people assess one another based upon these factors, both knowingly and unknowingly, sometimes even without ever having met in person.

Assumptions regarding regional identity can extend to physical mannerisms of speech, attitude and dress.  They can act as commodities unto themselves, ideas of self that are "bought into" or refuted.  They can be used to make judgments regarding less easily noticeable characteristics like character, intelligence, belief system & morality, economic standing, etc.  But communities are much more diverse and vibrant than they appear to those outside.  So when explored and applied in real life, some of these notions become little more than caricatures and cartoons, exaggerations that rarely depict those portrayed in an accurate manner.

I have accessorized according to regional preconceptions regarding dress and fashion based on my own personal interpretation of some local St. Louis area stereotypes.  Regardless of accessories and other adornments, the "little black dress" seems as much at home in a classic, upscale setting as a hip, urban scene.  The consistency of the "little black dress" also unifies the scenes to note that, regardless of where we live, grew up or went to school, we are all much more alike than we are different.