Artist Statement As an artist it is my job to work with unfamiliar and averted topics. Throughout my work I have taken these subjects and tried to convey them to the viewer in a protective atmosphere. By doing this I hope to allow the viewer to take the typically concealed topic with the routinely uncomfortable emotional range that comes with it, and allow them to work through it with belief that empathy will form. This will optimistically create an understanding and an open dialog to spark change.
This body of work specifically deals with the awareness of the epidemic of addiction. The toils of an addict are presented in hopes to create a better understanding of the disease and to generate communication on what can be done to help. This topic is especially important because addiction is something that affects so many lives, whether you know an addict or are one. I had many close friends who have had their lives taken, know someone who has been stolen, or have fought and won their battle from this disease. I myself am a two-year survivor of addiction who used drugs to hide from the world around me and the pain I was feeling inside. Those of us who suffer from this are not out to hurt the ones around us. We are trying to fight the disease in our heads that tell us we are useless, pathetic, and not worth the breath we take. With hope and understanding from the outside world, along with our strength and self-support we can become productive and achieve great things. I hope that as the viewer takes their journey through the show they can empathize with the addict, understand that we are all human, and realize that these are too many numbers to be lost. I firmly believe that gaining knowledge will allow the community to gather together and help find solutions to the rampant growth of drug/alcohol related deaths. |
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I’m (NOT) Okay
Wall Detail 1 2016 Cast Iron, Cast Bronze, Glass Same in the End: Jake
12x12 Screenprint on Glass Same in the End: Nathan
12x12 Screenprint on Glass Blue with Off-white Speckles
17.5x6x6 Glass Off-white with Blue Speckles
14x4.5x4.5 Glass |
I’m (NOT) Okay
Wall Detail 2 2016 Cast Iron, Cast Bronze, Glass Same in the End: Jesse
12x12 Screenprint on Glass Same in the End: Bryan
12x12 Screenprint on Glass Blue with Purple Vertical and Light Green Horizontal
16x6x6 Glass Off-white with Purple, Light Green, and Blue Dots
15x5x5 Glass |
I’m (NOT) Okay
2016 Cast Iron, Cast Bronze, Glass Same in the End: Blank
12x12 Screenprint on Glass Same in the End
2016 Screenprint on Glass Purple, Light Green, and Blue Vertical Stripes
9x5x5 Glass Purple with Light Green Inside and Blue Bottom
16x5x5 Glasss |
Same in the End: Marie
12x12 Screenprint on Glass Same in the End: Rachael
12x12 Screenprint on Glass The Fallen
84 poppies Paper Light Green with Purple Stripes and Blue Zigzag
11x5.5x5.5 Glass Salmon and Tan Vertical with Blue and Green Horizontal
10x8x8 Glass |