National identity, folk art and ancestry play a fundamental role in my studio research. Most recently the resulting works, a combination of sculptures, photographs and drawings, look directly at the notion of a "homeland" for inspiration. Materials utilized tend to be commonplace like fabric, cardboard, wood, styrofoam, food, and other domicile fixtures. The vernacular is composed of flags, bombs, maps, family crests, and current events. These techniques and materials are selected on the basis of their connotations and how those connotations can serve the prevailing concept.   

The works are suspicious of an idealized perception of a homeland. Pride, patriotism and politics are dissected in the mixed media pieces although I attempt to remain somewhat non-partisan. My interest lies more in how our individual identities are wrapped up in our national identities, sometimes blinded by pride to the flaws in our very own ideologies.

born:1977, Detroit, Michigan

education:

Southern Illinois University Carbondale, MFA, 2005
Center for Creative Studies, BFA, 1999

selected awards/honors

Kentucky Foundation for Women, Artist Enrichment Grant, 2011
Eastern Kentucky University, Junior Faculty Research Award, 2010
Swope Museum, Award of Merit/Arts Illiana, 65th Annual Wabash Valley Juried Exhibition, Terre Haute, IN, 2009
Missouri Fiber Artists Fiber Focus, Award of Excellence, St. Louis, MO, 2003

selected solo or two-person exhibits

Halcyon Gallery: Soft Power, Terre Haute, IN, 2009
Surplus Gallery: Drapes With Shoes To Match, Carbondale, IL, 2005
Motor Gallery: COLOR, Detroit, MI, 2002

selected group shows

Lexington Art League: Generously Odd/Craft Now, Lexington, KY 2009
33 Grand Gallery: Marking Traces, Oakland, CA, 2005
Mad Art Gallery: Plexus, St. Louis, MO, 2004
Art St. Louis: Fiber Focus, St. Louis, MO, 2003