Artist Statement
With the exception of beanie babies and dolls, I’ve never considered myself a collector; however, I find the psychological implications of the collecting process incredibly curious. People collect things for various reasons. Some people collect to find comfort and happiness, while others do it compulsively and endlessly without fulfillment. When thinking about the things I accumulate and the reasons why, I have realized that the items I hold onto are private and personal remnants of things that bring me comfort. My recent work uses the structure and psychology of collecting to address the uncomfortable history of repetition in my life.
Each sculpture uses collection to emphasize the repetition within my actions, evoking shame and discomfort upon reflection and public presentation. The materials used in each piece are also intended to evoke discomfort, due to the embarrassment one feels in revealing the frequency of his or her actions, making private routine into public display. The transition of private to public allows me to see myself objectively and truly, revealing concerns about myself and forcing me to face issues of which I would otherwise decline to engage. My desire to convey shame is generated by the fleeting sense of comfort that these objects provide, and the insecurity felt once they are gone. A collection by its nature will feature repetition, scale, and organization, and these are ways in which I can tackle subjects or emotions that are uncomfortable. While it is my personal mission to overcome the embarrassment of need and longing for what cannot make me whole, I have found that this desire is universal and can evoke empathy.
Each sculpture uses collection to emphasize the repetition within my actions, evoking shame and discomfort upon reflection and public presentation. The materials used in each piece are also intended to evoke discomfort, due to the embarrassment one feels in revealing the frequency of his or her actions, making private routine into public display. The transition of private to public allows me to see myself objectively and truly, revealing concerns about myself and forcing me to face issues of which I would otherwise decline to engage. My desire to convey shame is generated by the fleeting sense of comfort that these objects provide, and the insecurity felt once they are gone. A collection by its nature will feature repetition, scale, and organization, and these are ways in which I can tackle subjects or emotions that are uncomfortable. While it is my personal mission to overcome the embarrassment of need and longing for what cannot make me whole, I have found that this desire is universal and can evoke empathy.
