ARTIST
STATEMENT
I once believed that discovering my identity as a multidisciplinary artist was an organic journey, only to realize in retrospect that the roots of my artistic expressions were planted long ago. As a child growing up in Belize, Central America, and the South Bronx, I absorbed the essence of transformation, the reassignment of value, the reuse of materials, and an appreciation for aesthetics – all of which became foundational elements in my artistic evolution.
My colors, forms, and shapes draw from the amalgamation of my culturally, spiritually, and socially lived experiences. Whether manifested in site-specific installations, photographs, paintings, or costumes, my work delves into complex identity, race, politics, and transformation themes. I construct elaborate installations using elementary materials, primarily butcher paper, along with a few nails and staples. These structures, strategically placed indoors or outdoors, serve as visual interventions, challenging expectations, and engaging communities in unexpected ways.
The paper, manipulated through crunching, crumpling, twisting, weaving, and braiding, occupies space with the intent to generate intricate patterns of shadows and captivating contrasts of light and dark. Incorporating fabric, lighting, sound, and video, my installations aim to create interactive spaces, triggering the viewer's memories, hopes, and dreams. Encouraging contemplation of ancestral, historical, cultural, and political narratives, the installations prompt questions about personal connections to legacy and hidden truths.
I invite viewers to examine the wrinkles in the paper, akin to the wrinkles on the skin of their elders: What stories do they tell? What memories do they hold? The intertwined paper prompts reflection on ancestral connections, while shadows on the walls provoke contemplation of hidden truths and the imprint of individual personhood on humanity.
While each installation carries its unique narrative, my overarching intention remains consistent – to question our ancestral, historical, cultural, and political past and explore possibilities for the future. As philosopher Maxine Greene advocates, engaging with art involves "lending a work your life," encouraging viewers to ask profound questions of themselves and the artwork.
Furthermore, recognizing that identity, race, and politics are dynamic concerns, my art serves as a visual voice for global sociopolitical and economic issues, particularly those affecting people of African descent. My hyphenated identity – Female, Black, American of Belizean descent – shaped by my experiences in Harlem and extensive travels, provides a perspective beyond the confines of individuality. Much like the structure of a book with its paragraphs, pages, chapters, and volumes, my work encapsulates the richness of all I encounter.
©Copyright. All rights reserved.
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.