Miyah Lebofsky
Weighed Down
I am a third-year student at Florida State University, pursuing dual degrees in Studio Art and Psychology. My work exists at the intersection of these two passions, where creative expression meets an exploration of the human mind. Through my art, I delve into the complexities of aging, memory, and the inevitable loss of innocence that accompanies growing up. As someone deeply nostalgic by nature, my work serves as both a personal and collective investigation into the tension between longing for the simplicity of childhood and reconciling with its more complicated realities.
I draw significant inspiration from the media I consumed during my formative years—the toys, movies, music, and celebrity culture of the early 2000s. These cultural artifacts find their way into my work not only as aesthetic references but also as symbols of a broader societal context. While I fondly recall the rhinestones and Lisa Frank coloring books that defined my childhood, I am now able to recognize the toxic diet culture, demonization of mental illness, and exploitative celebrity coverage that was rampant at the time. By examining these elements, I aim to expose how the cultural landscape of the 2000s shaped the psychological development of an entire generation.
My artistic style reflects these themes of childhood through visual playfulness juxtaposed with subtle unease. I often employ saturated colors and distorted figures with exaggerated, elongated limbs to capture the surreal, larger-than-life perspectives experienced during youth—when adults seemed like towering giants and the world felt more vivid. This whimsical aesthetic is deliberately paired with more somber undertones, inviting viewers to navigate the dissonance between nostalgia and critical reflection.
While oil painting is my primary medium, I frequently incorporate mixed media elements into my work, such as embroidery, charms, beads, and other tactile materials. These additions serve to blur the line between fine art and the more 'crafty' objects of my youth.
My piece Weighed Down is reflective of my artistic style. The work represents the struggle to move on from things that have happened in your past. The figure is being physically and metaphorically held down by different bracelets that were popular in my childhood, such as friendship beads, charms, silly bands, and candy bracelets. Each bracelet and charm is a specific reference to my past: lost friendships, family stories, impactful media, etc