Hidden Permanence (Paintings from How to Clear Your Browser History)
2017
Acrylic, toner and phosphorescent pigments on canvas.

The paintings from How to Clear Your Browser History critique government surveillance and the erosion of privacy in the digital age. Inspired by programs like Optic Nerve, which monitored private online spaces, these works combine traditional oil painting with phosphorescent pigments to reveal hidden text and imagery under UV light. The portraits depict individuals captured in public chatrooms, layered over silkscreened chat transcripts. Algorithms were employed to monitor and grade keywords from these transcripts, mirroring the real-life methods used by surveillance agencies. As the UV light alternates, viewers uncover concealed messages, symbolizing the hidden permanence of digital interactions often perceived as fleeting. These paintings challenge the audience to confront the tension between visibility and secrecy, offering a haunting commentary on the power dynamics of surveillance and the role of algorithms in shaping perception.