artist statement

Walls are more than simply structures protecting us from the elements. Historically, walls have divided, encompassed, and defined societies. They are vehicles for personalization, canvasses to decorate, and tell the stories of our existence.

Looking beyond the utilitarian definition, a wall’s function has true sociological relevance. On the surface, from prehistoric caves to fanciful wallpapers of the twentieth century, we use walls to express ourselves. We have always decorated our surroundings; longingly we introduce color into a white room, hang art or wallpaper – making a space our own. I find ‘surface design’ a tremendous inspiration, visually and conceptually: the colors, motifs, and subjects in each pattern are distinct to their times and places of origin.

I use discarded paint on sheetrock and reclaimed construction boards collected from construction site waste. Using remnants, trash originally intended for the building of walls, I redraw attention to them and create something significant and special. I hope to turn this ‘garbage’ into a statement about the ‘walls’ that divide us culturally, and the decorations that bring us together.