Artist Statement

As an artist, I explore new ways to create intricate compositions with vibrant motifs, such as swirling circles, meandering vines, industrial grids, geometric planes, plant shapes, and decorative motifs. I want to achieve a dynamic tension that balances the subtlety of order with chaos in the pursuit of harmony. My inspiration comes from the rich textiles, ceramics, and sculpture traditions across diverse cultures. I am particularly drawn to clay and its historical significance, as ceramics materials and techniques have crossed cultural boundaries to create new visual languages.

I use red clay as the foundation of my work, which symbolizes the skin of a vessel and gives a sense of richness and depth to the layered surfaces. Through a process that involves multiple firings using of slips, underglaze, glaze, Egyptian paste, and luster, I develop textures and hues that reveal intricate patterns deeper and deeper into the surface. This alchemical process unveils a visual narrative that fluctuates between revelation and concealment.

Moving between abstraction and metaphor allows me to explore a range of themes, including complexity, ancestry, ceremony,, and hybridity. My initial sources of inspiration for developing forms have been North American and West African women vessel makers, Black American Quilt traditions, Dutch wax cloth, African mud cloth, the painters of the Harlem Renaissance, and Afrofuturism. I also draw inspiration from writers such as Toni Morrison, Anaïs Nin, and Octavia Butler.

As an artist who identifies as a Black woman with mixed heritage, my artwork celebrates our identities' beauty, complexity, and interconnectedness. My inspiration comes from various sources, such as gardening, jazz, clothing, fabrics, and science fiction. I consider my artistic journey to be an exploration through clay, where each piece contains clues to its deeper meaning, expressed through carefully crafted titles and descriptions that evoke the fluidity of cultural, racial, gender, and sexuality identities.

My art creates a space for dialogue and understanding by fusing historical influences with contemporary concepts. It invites viewers to question and appreciate the intricacies of identity and cultural heritage. Through my work, I strive to inspire others to embrace their unique narratives and find solace in the interplay of chaos and order, unveiling the vibrant tapestry of our collective existence.