Artist Statement

Cultural exchange inspires me because I believe that when we absorb the influence of a particular experience we also leave an imprint. The purpose of my work is to promote connectivity with the viewer by offering unexpectedly recognizable materials within my art and my mechanism is storytelling through mixed media collage. Each piece of art tells a tale informed by the origins of the bits and pieces used to build tactile layers into a cohesive visual. Collecting modern, vintage and antique supplies is a treasure hunt through daily life encompassing simple moments and diverse places. I merge papers, textiles and found items from around the world, by cutting and shaping them to reveal the observable links that dynamically join and contrast them. I sometimes secure the collage elements with liquid adhesive, simple hand-stitches, or metal brads, depending upon the piece and its background surface. I up-cycle ephemera alongside artisan materials, promoting sustainability and the use of otherwise overlooked treasures, so that the potential of each item can be reimagined within a new context while also reducing waste. Items with a history add discernible richness to the imagery, depth to its meaning and underscore our human need to belong and be seen. At once deeply personal and widely relatable, my art invites the viewer into a world that resonates with possibility and discovery.