Artist Statement

 

I'm not sure if it's because I like how art and math connect or if I'm just trying to impose some order on a chaotic world, but I adore the order of columns, rows, and multiples. I search for a balance in my work, poised between formal artistic considerations and themes that are both personal and universal. The intentional use of light and shadow is central to this search and can be seen in the abstract shapes I create from treated textiles. Work made of antique glass plates or monochrome plaster forms highlight a similar interplay. These forms are used to scrutinize topics of LGBTQ equality, race and gender. The art activism of ACT UP in the 1980s and 90s had a profound impact on me and I often participated in their public actions. It instilled in me a desire to have my voice heard and prepared me to explore the tension between beauty and discomfort.

 

I balance the appeal of the form with the underlying themes, which are decidedly more provocative. These two ideas work together to create a unique experience. They provide a point of entry to an idea that may otherwise be avoided yet still hold space for an authentic artistic encounter. These combinations are also a way for me to personally process the complexities of these subjects and provide an unending avenue of artistic exploration.