Using the mechanics of picture-making and the affective punctum to reassert the significance and profundity of quotidian moments

This thesis will examine how my artistic practice aims to capture and elevate unguarded, candid, fleeting moments, which are often overlooked in a social media-driven culture focused on self-curation. [...] Throughout this essay, I will trace the theoretical frameworks and cultural contexts underpinning my work, while providing a window into my specific processes for capturing and reframing the everyday through painting. I will examine the interplay of affective sensations, materiality, and viewer perception, as well as interrogate the broader implications of my practice's engagement with issues surrounding image curation and the pursuit of honest self-expression in our era of hyper-aestheticisation.