The body… was an ephermeral work that was created from casting my body with plastic wrap, tape, and newspaper to create a mold of my body. I used paper pulp to that laid on top of the form and dried on top of the shroud. Drum beats echoed in the night under the light of the October full moon as the body was carried by four bearers and led in a procession by myself to the pyre. Some offerings were placed on the body before being set aflame. This ceremony marked the entering into a new shift and a letting go of the previous versions of self.
The phrase “Memento Vivere” is Latin for “remember to live” but to live implies that you “remember you must die” (Memento Mori). The books in this series, Memento Vivere, relate this underlying concept and deal with subjects pertaining to euphoria and vitality but also grief, violation, and assault.
After the passing of a friend in the spring, the book which appears last in the series, Memento Mori, was created first on the inside of a decaying book. Dealing with the idea of morality, within the book lays a decomposing body showing an exposed ribcage, severed limbs, broken bones to convey the grief felt. The ground surrounding the grave displays the variation of color but also the reclaiming of the soil to allow flower growth a metaphor for the healing process.
The second book, Memento Pugnare, means “remember to fight” which was created following a sexual assault. Within the book, lies a figure bound by rope with a bag covering their face and clothes ripped off. The violent scene can invoke feelings of fear, aggression, and pain but this are part of the experience of living and shape our existence.
The final book, Memento Vivere, was made as the beginning and end of stage of life. The book includes a figure laying down on a picnic blanket with a basket, book, and apple. This setting creates an atmosphere of calmness and peace, there is an appreciation for what is present in the moment despite what the future might hold.
(papermache & cardboard)
25ft (Length) x 15ft (Wide)
The Mountain
We all have our own uphill battle to face, whether physical, emotional , or spiritual. We just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other until we reach the top of the Mountain.
(egg carton papermache, chicken wire, & wood structure)
The Road
Each of us has our road to take, filled with trials and tribulations; some are more difficult than other. Directions to the destination aren't always clear but we often know when we have veered from the path.
(gravel)
The Village
It truly takes a village to raise a child or create a large-scale project. Within this archetype, there is a sense of community & connection. But if one deviates from societal norms it becomes one of isolation.
(cardboard)
The River
A place where worry and fear can be washed away or run rampt like rough rapids. The River can represent solitude and peace if we choose not to fight the current. We must choose to go with the flow.
(brokenn blue glass & fabric)
The Voyage
It is never smooth sailing in life, rough waves and uncertain waters threaten stability. But if one can weather the worst of the storms there are brighter days ahead for all who choose to voyage.
(vintage handbuilt boat)
The Forest
The flora and fauna of the Forest offer peace and comfort away from busy city life. This contrast can quickly shift when the sun begins to set, we may feel the instinctual fear for our safety. We often must ask ourselves whether we are prepared to endure the dark forest or stay in our comfort.
(wire armature, papermache, dirt)
The Tower
In tarot the Tower is a card of transformation, it can be an unexpected or big change. Whether upright or reversed it’s an inevitable change that’s taking place. painless or not, the Tower makes us more resilient, brings enlightenment, and aligns us to our path.
(ceramic with stain)
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
The harbingers of the end times... One for Conquest, a self-righteous leader seeking to assert their dominance. Followed by War, fueled by a justified anger and hatred for their cause. Another of Famine, driven by scarcity and inflation this horseman is driven by hunger. The final one, Death, offers surrender from the world's woes and suffering.
(wire, aluminum, & papermache)
Sun & Moon
More about these in the future...this is not their story.
(papermache & light)
Harper's Weekly, A Journal of Civilization
A politicial magazine from 1860's that chronicles the Civil War from the Union's perspective. This shows the archtypes and their echoes through time.
The Map
The River
The Voyage
The Map
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
The Voyage
The Forest
The works Lost Nature, Bone Garden as well as Life & Death are currently on display at Swan Coach House Gallery as part of their annual exhibit “Little Things”. If you’d like to view these in person please visit Swan Coach House Gallery Tues - Sat 10AM - 4PM at 3130 Slaton Dr NW Atlanta, GA 30305.
The book sculptures, Lost Nature, Bone Garden, as well as Life & Death were inspired by the beauty of the world and reverence of the ephemeral nature of life. There exist references to the concept of memento mori, meaning “remember you must die,” through imagery of bones and rotting wood. With the subject of death and decay present in the work it invites one to value the vibrancy and zeal of life. The meticulous work of drawing the letters based on flora and fauna, further emphasize the intricate details that exist in the universe. The series explores our own relationship to the earth and the creatures that inhabit the planet.
Objects function as tangible connections to memory and historical narrative. Whether through family heirlooms, photographs, or commonplace items, the significance of objects is not derived from their material value, but from their ability to represent relationships, experiences, and the passage of time. These objects accumulate meaning through generations, becoming symbols of identity, tradition, and continuity. As they are passed down, they contribute to the construction of both personal and collective histories, offering insights into the cycles of memory and loss.
The works in this series engage with this concept through the collection and re-contextualization of found materials. The Documentation of Life series, for example, examines fragments of flora and fauna, arranged in trays to catalog and preserve remnants of the natural world. These collections are not merely archival but serve as structured representations of lived experiences, emphasizing the interplay between memory and material culture. The organized arrangement of these items is intended to evoke nostalgia and reflect on the relationship between time, place, and identity, suggesting that even the most inconspicuous elements of life are worthy of preservation and contemplation.
Similarly, the Life of the Machine series addresses a contrasting set of materials—metal parts and mechanical components. These objects, though removed from their original contexts, embody a narrative of technological processes, such as breakdown, repair, and maintenance. The arrangement of metal shards, bent wires, and miscellaneous parts serves to document the significance of machinery within broader systems of function and decay. By categorizing and displaying these remnants, the work emphasizes the role of technology in shaping contemporary life, while also recognizing the inherent impermanence and obsolescence of mechanical systems.
In both series, the act of collection and curation highlights the value of materials that may otherwise be overlooked or discarded. The arrangements reflect the fragmented nature of memory and history, acknowledging the complex processes through which meaning is constructed over time. Ultimately, the works aim to preserve and illuminate the relevance of objects, both organic and mechanical, within the larger narratives of memory, continuity, and transformation.
What is a home? What does home mean? When does a place become home? Is home a place? A person? The concept of home has often related to the dwelling space of a family with domestic duties and traditional dynamics. However, the contemporary culture is currently challenging the conventional concepts that have been tied to the connotation of home. The increasing housing crisis in cities, rates of homelessness, foster care system and steady incline of the cost of living is impacting our relationship to having a permanent place to reside. The exploration of the work delves into the idea and connection to home as how they relate to trauma around home, experiences moving, and redefining what home means.
The work focuses on the exploration of reclaimed materials to build these homes but these metal and wooden structures are only the frame work, it requires an engagement with the subject to provide the key elements that make this a home. Thus examining the materialistic relation to make a place home as well as the emotional components to a seemingly empty space. The stilted structures implore the viewer to reflect on their own perceptions, perspectives, and relation to the subject.
Through my wooden creatures, I explore the intersection of the whimsical and the macabre through the medium of wood carving. Based on my ink sketches and drawing inspiration from illustrators such as Edward Gorey, John Kenn Mortensen, and Tim Burton, my wooden creatures serve as manifestations of internal struggles and the exorcism of negative energies. Like the dark, curved forms of Tach Pollard, the work is crafted from pine or birch and finished with an ebony stain that deepens the emotional resonance of the sculptures. The animal-like creatures echo the work of Manuel Jimenez with their abstracted features and carved surface patterns. Like the storytelling and worldbuilding of Theodor Seuss Geisel with his unique landscapes and imaginative beasts, the wooden creatures belong to a world of their own, one that explores the depths of the subconscious.
The sculpture, "Onom," embodies the unsettling feeling of being watched by an unknown presence. This piece invites viewers to confront the invisible forces that often lurk in the periphery of our consciousness. The character's form evokes both curiosity and discomfort, challenging the observer to reflect upon the anxiety it may invoke by the peering one eye.
The "Iche" sculptures draw inspiration from the image of leeches, symbolizing energy vampires that drain vitality and joy. These figures illustrate the darker aspects of human interaction, highlighting the emotional toll of relationships that deplete rather than nourish. These serve as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding one's energy in a world filled with both nurturing and draining influences.
The act of carving becomes a transformative process, where I channel personal and collective struggles into physical forms. By embodying these themes in wood, I aim to engage viewers in a dialogue about the balance of light and shadow within our lives. Ultimately, the work stands as a testament to the cathartic power of art, inviting us to confront and embrace the intricacies of our emotional landscapes. Each sculpture serves not only as a reflection of personal experience but also as an invitation to explore the narratives that shape our understanding of presence, energy, and existence.
Iche Family
Baby Iche
Baby Iche (detail)
Iche I
Iche I (detail)
Iche I & Baby Iche I
Iche I & II
Onom & Kato
Kato
Kato (detail)
Onom
Onom (detail)
Inub
Inub (detail)
Inub II
Inub II (detail)
Inub I & II
Wood Totems
CONNECT, OR DIE
CONNECT, OR DIE (detail)
CONNECT, OR DIE (detail)
Creating custom made metalwork for places of business and residence, ranging from security doors, railings, garden trellises, gates and more.
CNC plasma cutting, custom railings, and design work is also availbale. See what is offered here.
Please submit an inquiry on the Contact page if you’re interested in custom work for your home or place of business.
Meditative wrapping is the process of repetitively wrapping an object to bring new energy and meaning to an area, object, or place. The exercise is simply a practice in mindfulness and being in tune with your environment to find the balance between mind, body, and soul.
The trees, with deep roots and branches in the sky, play a role in the cycle of life. The air we breathe is the oxygen they produce, the carbon dioxide we exhale is the air they need. There is an invisible connection we share with these living beings. Trees have root systems that allows them to communicate and share nutrients.
Similarly, humans have invisible networks that connect one another. However, we can often overlook the bond that we share with each other. But much like trees and their root systems, during times of crisis, humans beings to share resources and information.
From these moments is when we truly experience the value of our relationship to each other and the importance of maintaining a healthy connection to the earth. In these installations, the trees symbolize human beings and the rope exemplifies the shared bond. This meditative wrapping installation demonstrates how closely knit humanity is to one another and how we coexist with the environment.
In collaboration with photographer, Neta Zuk, the series “Ever-chaning Reverie” ermerged from the recesses of a dream-like vision. Each headpiece compliments the other, with the use of ethically sourced materials including shells, feathers, and bones.
The Ever-Changing Reverie series began as the desire to showcase the beauty of Mother Nature while embodying the female deity and energy. The bones belong to animals that passed from natural causes and have been repurposed to honor their time on this earth. The sea shells are also the remnants of living creatures that are part of this cycle. The headpieces can invoke a sense of reverence and mystification within the viewer to remind them of the ethereal quality of Mother Nature.
Combining moldmaking and casting to create works of art in bronze and stainless steel
Bronze lost wax casting with fire patina
Dimensions: 5 x 4 x 6 inches
Bronze lost wax casting with fire patina
Dimensions: 5 x 4 x 6 inches
Bronze lost wax casting with liver of sulfur patina
Dimensions: 5 x 4.5 x 7 inches
Bronze lost wax casting with liver of sulfur patina
Dimensions: 5 x 4.5 x 7 inches
Baby doll head mold cast in stainless steel
Dimensions: 4 x 3 x 3.5 inches
Baby doll head mold cast in stainless steel
Dimensions: 4 x 3 x 3.5 inches
The new-media installation "Euphony" examines the interplay between sonic chaos and the search for peace within disorder. Developed in response to a period of political unrest, the work addresses the pervasive anxiety and uncertainty that emerged in its wake.
The installation incorporates over 100 speakers, sourced from local businesses, organizations, and residents, to create an aural experience. The speakers are arranged within the space to create a constantly shifting auditory environment, with sound dispersing through multiple channels in a manner that mirrors the unpredictability and overwhelming nature of chaotic systems.
Custom software is utilized to process real-time camera data, which was then converted into generative rhythms derived from sampled drum beats. These rhythms evolve in response to participants' movement within the space, establishing a feedback loop between the viewer and the installation. In this manner, the sound functions as a metaphor for chaos—an aural representation of disordered systems and fragmented experiences.
However, when participants remain motionless or reduce their movement, the sonic environment gradually stabilizes, leading to the formation of new, ordered patterns within the previously chaotic soundscape. In this way, the installation suggests that stillness serves as a mechanism for recalibrating and restoring balance within the chaotic system. The work invites viewers to recognize their influence within a broader context of disruption and transformation, exploring the possibility of finding moments of harmony within the tumult.
Boba Fett's Helmet
EVA foam, wood, & 3M face shield
Baby Yoda - Grogu Drawing
Colored Pencil
Sir Crocodile's Hook from One Piece (anime)
Steel with brushed brass finish