Artist Statement
My work is inspired by…
Memory, experiences, my understanding of the human condition and my Buddhist practice.
I work primarily in burlap, also known as hessian. It’s a natural material that speaks to my love of nature and texture. It’s strong, durable and I associate it with my life growing up in a hard-working blue collar family. It’s a material rich with manipulative properties.
I use reclaimed coffee bags that originate from all over the world – each piece having distinct physical characteristics.The diverse colors, weaves, and weight are unique to the origin of the material, and represents the beauty of diversity in the world. I use these inherent qualities and associations of burlap to explore the resilience of the human spirit. I believe that no matter how torn or unraveled life becomes, there are ways to patch the pieces back together.
In spite of our diverse humanity, we all share moments of struggle and suffering. It is through these challenges that one can see the beauty of the torn and imperfect. It’s an opportunity to patch and repair, and to learn our true strength.
