How would you describe your art?
Art gives me a language to work through and express my ideas. A lot of my art is focused on social commentary and politics. I also like to use humor in my work. When people laugh, they’re more open to thinking about a different point of view.
How have you changed as an artist over the years?
When I was a student, I was very concerned with mastering the technical aspects of art. After school, I turned to photojournalism for a career. My creativity there was driven by capturing that decisive moment. Now that I’m older, I appreciate the process of art and letting it take me in directions I didn’t expect. I find that more and more, the concepts behind the art interest me more than the final piece itself.
What artists have influenced your work?
Laurie Anderson is one of my favorite artists. I just saw a new show by Anderson at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC. She is a singer and performance artist but has branched out into visual art. Anderson pushes the boundaries of how the viewer experiences and connects with art. One of the pieces that stuck with me in her new exhibit was a hologram of tiny people sharpening knives. Nick Cave’s Soundsuits also inspire me. His pieces blend sculpture and fashion. He says they evolved after the Rodney King beatings and have grown into vehicles for empowerment. It made me look at art and textiles in an entirely different way. His Soundsuits are like modern-day armor, and I was fascinated by what he chose to create these superhero costumes. Some are intricately beaded but then juxtapose a megaphone or an abacus.
Do you have a favorite medium?
I’m not tied to one medium. Different concepts require different art forms. Since turning more fully to art from photojournalism and becoming an Artworks Gallery member, I’ve enjoyed experimenting with different art forms. Since the pandemic hit, I’ve worked with fabric and photograms. And I’m excited about art that incorporates technology.
What does making art mean in your life?
It does a lot of things. At its broadest, making art gives me a voice to speak about what I care about in the world. It’s also a stress reliever and a way to indulge in some “me time.” Some of my art has helped me process some of the complex emotions from my time in photojournalism. I read about soldiers treated for PTSD who were assigned to write stories about their trauma but then rewrite the ending to what they wanted it to be. I decided to take some of my old photos of crime scenes and the Pentagon on 9/11 and envision what I wanted to happen. I called the show “Magical Thinking” because I created a better ending.
