Maya Keeney

Maya Keeney (She/Her/Hers)
Studio Art major, Art History minor

I have portrayed many different characters throughout my years as a dancer and choreographer. Acquaintances are often shocked when they see me perform with bravado on stage, as I am very quiet and introverted in my daily life. This juxtaposition inspired me to dig deeper into what it means to put on a mask and perform as someone else.

Utilizing a series of staged photographs as reference, I employed a variety of painting techniques to render distinct self-portraits. This series embraces the playful side of performance while exploring questions of authenticity and identity through exaggerated costumes and expressions. 

To further highlight the performative aspect of these works, I have included a scannable Spotify code beside each painting that links to the song I imagined dancing to as this character.