Identity, Place, and Memory My figurative work centers on identity and memory. Personal imagery and subject matter from the 1940s to the early 70s have been my source material. Some works reference my research on adoption and particularly "the sensory need to see someone who resembles you" or "visual hunger” (Lifton, 1994, pg. 68). Other works draw from specific photographs within my history. Many of these figures are intentionally stylized, artificial and doll-like. Like my figurative work, some of my functional pieces directly reference personal imagery, but most of these forms are informed by place. Non-western travel has greatly influenced my general perspective on life and has naturally informed my reference material. In my ceramic work, I sometimes reference patterns, colors, textures and forms from my personal library. My library includes countless documentary photographs that I have taken and catalogued during my travels. Some of these images can be found on this page. |