"The Life We Had"
2016, oil on drywall, chair, caning, door frames, moulding, bed frame, window frame, Victoria's Secret slip, photographic slide, oil on canvas, oil on panel, twigs, moss, 108” x 84” x 36"
“The Life We Had” is a visual statement that articulates the physical trauma inflicted on the people and objects in a home with domestic violence. Through the use of iconic repetitive forms of destruction, like the hole in the wall, this piece addresses intimidation as a critical recurring form of abuse. The fragmentation of objects and redaction of figures in the canvas painting are metaphors for loss of identity and fractured memories due to PTSD.
The use of oil paint on a portion of drywall mirrors the psychological projection of fear that is ingrained in a victim of abuse. The drywall is staged behind an empty frame, mimicking the way the artist’s family covered the holes in her childhood home with framed art.
“Mother”
2016, oil on canvas, oil on panel, broom, cloth, rocking chair leg, vines, 108” x 60”
“Mother” sensitively examines the role of a mother as a victim of domestic abuse, and symbolizes the parasitic nature of an abusive partnership. The items precariously circling the central painting display the tedious roles she juggles to survive. Elements of traditional womanhood are visually juxtaposed by the overhanging vines, known for their ability to strangle and kill their host tree over time.
"Falling Means Ruin and Demise"
2016, vent, window screen, moulding, door frames, chair frames, scrap metal, installation view, dimensions variable
This installation speaks to the labor and attention it takes to heal from a traumatic event. It is comprised of salvaged materials from several home demolition sites. Each piece was transported manually from the time of collection to installation, taking a physical toll on me. Items were carefully arranged by material and size as a way to make sense of the destruction that occurred, and begin to rebuild from there.
