I view grief as a fundamental aspect of the human experience, one that we must confront to move forward. This work was born from the shared grief felt worldwide in 2020, whether through witnessing the murder of George Floyd on social media or the increasing toll of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The series features figurative engravings on oxidized steel, evoking ancient carvings. These impressions include architectural and geometric shapes that engage with the human form, capturing both mental and spatial experiences. There’s a palpable weight to each piece, both subjectively and objectively. Each surface is pierced at the top center, allowing a steel wire to extend and suspend a granite cube, reminiscent of tombstones, pendulums, and the emotional burdens we carry. My focus is on illustrating the diverse ways our bodies respond to pain and healing. Often, the impact of such events is not visible, and I aim to convey these processes through the labor involved in creating the work, the choice of materials, and the imagery itself.
All pieces: Engraved oxidized steel, stainless steel cord, wood, granite / Exhibited at Galerie Lakaye in 2020 and Vielmetter Los Angeles in 2021