Portable Memorials and Abject Objects
Lately our lives seem shaped by loss, and the overwhelming sense that more losses—of people, precious places, species, common experiences or communal values—are to come. My work reflects upon this, engaging nostalgia and empathy as well as a kind of dark humor
Artificial flowers, scraps of foam, salvaged objects and lumpy clay are potent metaphors. They share, perhaps ironically, a long half-life of environmental and emotional impacts, even as they participate in a language of temporary commemoration. One of the most critical aspects of this work is resistance to contributing to environmental costs of manufacturing and shipping materials. The objects and materials used have all been reclaimed/recycled/plucked from the waste stream: donations of the artificial flowers, plastic foam, candles, candlesticks and suitcases were solicited via social media and word of mouth, or located in thrift stores or garage sales, or otherwise recycled.