Mixed Media
Self Portrait
Through my everyday life, I have observed how so many people have become lost within their own identities. There has been some sort of disconnect between me and others who feel there is no identity. Their light has faded. Even I needed to be reminded that we are each unique with our own identity. I hope to shine my light into the world of others and remind everyone of their unique identity.
2022; 4x4x3”; mixed media, illuminated fingerprint etch on a lightbulb
Assault on Science
Growing up in a Christian household I was taught about God’s creation and the wonders that he created. So when I attended public school and learned about the Big Bang theory and other historical events within science, I was conflicted between the two. Every day, science is advancing more and more leaving the conflict and question between God and science greater. I viewed science almost as a threat to religion, disproving God’s creationism. While at the same time, I was leaning towards believing in evolutionism. I was faced with fact after fact while the only thing creationism gave me was scripture. Fortunately, I attended a private Christian high school and through such, I was able to understand both creationism and evolutionism within an equal environment.
2021; 27x10x12”; mixed media, microscope, bible, laptop
Aborted Anatomy
The ongoing societal conflict of abortion has been one of the greatest and most impactful arguments that are present not only within politics, but schools and even between families. The overturn of Roe v Wade results in the decision not only impacting the consequences of abortion but also shows the abortion of a Supreme Court decision that has been present for many decades since the 1970s.
2022; 8x5x2.5”; mixed media, shaped wire fencing, acrylic spray, plastic babies
Fools Gold
The butterfly effect; even the smallest event like a butterfly flapping its wings can completely alter the course of life and result in something like a hurricane. For me, that flap of a wing was my father. He left when I was only 5 days old and instigated a chain reaction that altered my life. Growing up I felt confused and lost and even dreamed of having a dad, like finding gold. Yet over time, I’ve realized that even though my family was not like most, it was perfect just as is. And that gold that I longed for, was really just fool's gold.
2022; 60x24x18”; mixed media, shaped fencing mesh, gold acrylic spray
Critical Mass
The dystopian world has always fascinated me and how much it resembles our world right now. Our society is controlled through information. As modern technology advances, the information within our society advances as well. With a simple click of a button, we have access to “unlimited information”. Simply mentioning a product to someone results in our devices showing us that very product as an advertisement. As structural and advanced as our society may seem, information is what drives the world. In novels like Fahrenheit 451, the government controls everything. As a result, there is a lost sense of freedom and anarchy. From recent events, the capital take over, I have questioned at what time the line becomes crossed and people become completely controlled.
2020; 13x16x10” & 8x8x8”; mixed media, typography on acetate, wood skewers
Clarity Lost
The day the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade (6 24) was a moment of confusion and fear for many. A law that was upheld for decades suddenly ended. There was a sense of loss, not understanding the results of the Supreme Court and what the future now meant.
2022; 12x5x1”; mixed media, suspended plastic babies, acrylic spray, monofilament line
Building the Golden Child - Baby Fusion
I love reading dystopian novels, and one of my favorites is "Klara and the Sun" by Kazuo Ishiguro. "Klara and the Sun" is set in a time far into the future where almost all children are "lifted", or genetically modified. While genetic modification is fascinating and beneficial in cases like medical necessities, I hope genetic modification does not become used to change a child's appearance or make them "the best". Genetic modification has been around way before modifying children, yet I think trying to modify children to fit the image of "perfection" is never possible. The world is always changing and advancing and aiming for "perfection" will create an artificial child that no longer holds authenticity.
2022; 16x14x10”; mixed media, plastic babies, fencing wire, laptop, cascading code
Watching Friends Consumed by Medicinal Magic
The medicinal magic of removing all bad is viewed by many. We are controlled by medication. We take medication to help us in our everyday life, or to help us deal with mental issues. However, sometimes, people abuse the power of control that medication has. Many people are so focused on the uses of medication that some utilize it for things beyond its purpose, leading to a terrifying increase of 94% from 2019 to 2020 in fatal overdoses among teens.
2021; 13x13x12”; stacked prescription bottles, LEDs, self, digital application for reflection
Chambered Memories
The shell of the Chambered Nautilus is one of the most fascinating natural designs. The chambered nautilus is a sea creature with a beautiful shell inside and out. They are trapped for their shells and the inner layer is used as a pearl substitute. As a teenager, social media surrounds me almost every waking hour. And although we are told time after time, what we see on social media is false, we often still believe it and create a false reality from social media. Nearly all of my friends, peers, and even I try to perfectly curate what we post on social media, aware of how others may perceive us through social media despite knowing us in person. The feed we choose to post is like that of the pearl substitute, the chambered nautilus holds great value, just like the memories we make, yet it's used as something else, just like how we post only when we are living the best of life
2022; 12x5x1”; mixed media, suspended plastic babies, acrylic spray, monofilament line
Branded
Working at Starbucks is an experience I will never forget. Every job has its fair share of rude customers but also regular customers. Within just working for one week, I got to know our regular customers like my own friends. Despite the downside of working at Starbucks, the regulars made it worth it. After I stopped working I realized how much Starbucks and other brands had a grasp on its customers. I catch myself wanting to go to Starbucks after school nearly every day despite previously having unlimited access to all food and drinks while working. I never get tired of their products and always find myself back in Starbucks. Customers I've met and even I are like prisoners to brands and their loyalty is very present despite the high price of food and drinks.
2022; 76x42x12”; mixed media, Starbucks employee apron, bed, self
Continental Drift
When I was only 5 days old, my father left my family and never returned. I never met him nor knew what he looked like. When I was 11, my great-aunt gave me the only photograph I have ever seen of my dad. That photo was the only memory I had of my dad. I kept the photo hidden from my mom for a long time and always avoided talking about him. As a result, he was always just an empty memory and remained a taboo topic.
2022; 10x9’; multimedia, projected video onto parking lot asphalt, self
Echoing Smoke
Growing up, I never had a traditional birthday party with a big group of friends. Up until my 10th birthday, my mom would often invite her family friends over for my birthday. I met many people who I now call family, I even call one of them my God-father. On my 4th birthday, I moved into the house that I now live in. There was many close "family" present who often were like father figures to me, but I never got to experience the actual feeling of having my father present.
2022; 30x10x10”; Photo of artist, digital application with smoke
Whispers
Created a mask for my RISD Summer Program Final Project that represents how others view me compared (structured and perfect shapes) to who I really am (organic shapes). My whole life, people have described my life as perfect and how they would kill to do what I do with extracurriculars that fill my entire schedule while still appearing fine and not stressed. Yet, what they don't know is how exhausting it can become and while it seems "cool" to do so much, sometimes I wish I could have a time of calm. The mask also includes the struggles I face with body dysmorphia and the need for constant perfection that drove me in my past.
2021; 9x6x3”; cut corrugated cardboard