artists statement

My work uses ecological metaphors to explore internal and social landscapes. These metaphors ground me, serving as a constant reminder that I am an animal, existing in relation to not only other people but countless other types of organisms. At the same time, they help me to look inward, to understand myself better by asking what I have in common with other beings. The world is full of beauty and caring and growth, as well as pain and death, and my creative practice is my attempt to materialize and reconcile and be crushed and swept away by the dissonance at the center of everything.

I find that natural materials lend themselves well to the content and imagery of my work. The textural qualities of plant and animal fibers give each piece presence, as well as establishing a direct material connection with what I am depicting. I also gravitate towards tactile and embodied methods of making, because when I am physically engaged in the process, I am able to get out of my head and practice placing trust in my body, intuition, and materials.