Artist Statement

In Spite of is my thank you letter. Those who have raised, cared, and inspired me are women. To my friends who have inspired me with their passions, my cousin who has kept me laughing through hard times, my Aunts and Grandmere who have supported me even from long distances. To my mom who gave me the tools I needed to get this far. I have found strength in femininity. Strength to heal and heal others, to be kind, to be calm, and to fight in impossible situations.

The work addresses some of the constant adversities that I, and those close to me, encounter including objectification, stalking, institutional sexism, and self-imposed obstacles. In spite of these hardships, the most sincerely caring and strong people I know are the female figures in my life. They have shown me what it means to have empathy and compassion. Throughout my life, when I have faced these struggles, I know I can rely on these women to be thoughtful, to be angry with me when needed, and to understand.

The dark sinuous hands are a visual representation of those destructive, looming stereotypes, expectations, and harassments that are omnipresent. I want to convey my deep appreciation for those who show strength in harsh environments. My admiration for them is expressed in my work through Alaskan plants that overwinter in a place so inhospitably cold and dark. In spite of difficulty, they are resilient, returning stronger and more vibrant.