statement
I use abstract sculpture to explore bias and faulty perception as byproducts of a monocultural upbringing. At its core, my practice is a dismantling of the dogma of my childhood. The daughter of a horse trainer in Texas, I was raised with little awareness of the world beyond my town and church. My exposure to different cultures and viewpoints came later while living in France and Japan.
A metaphor for my yearning to bridge cultural gaps in understanding, my work combines materials that tell my life story. Western-style clothing and horsehair represent my childhood in Texas. Cotton muslin, a fashion prototyping staple, is representative of my decade living in Paris and working in couture. Kimono silk and gold thread (deployed as a stand-in for the gold lacquer used in kintsugi) are a nod to the three years I spent living in Japan. And finally, the feather-like protrusions, horse hooves, and other shapes I affix to many of my sculptures are made of thermoplastic, a versatile and shape-shifting material that represents my current life in New York City where people are free to take many forms.
Blue Collar, Gold Label, 2025
Western snap shirt, kimono silk, denim, thermoplastic, gold leaf on panel. 14 x 11 x 5 in. Photo credit: Paul Takeuchi