'Performative' is a collection of paintings that explore identity, expression, and performance through a cinematic lens. These narrative driven self portraits confront the perceptions of others as well as perception of oneself. Utilizing themes of emotional vulnerability, or rather the lack there of, these works ask "are we masking expression, or is expression the mask?"
Akin to the character based self-portraits of Cindy Sherman, Eugene’s paintings portray himself in different costumes that explore classic cinema and personality archetypes. These depictions include the cowboy, the hero, the rebel, the lover, and more. The individual subjects interact and exist within a manner that either defies these common character tropes, or plays to them in order to expand on overarching narratives.
Beyond performing these roles within the paintings, Eugene also explores various themes of performance, from showcasing the actions of a dynamic range of performers to the psychological complexities behind identity and the image of oneself. Serving as a catharsis for deeper personal experiences and behavioral expectations, these pieces spotlight the turmoil between an inner emotional reality and an outer presentation catered to an audience’s perception.