SKYLINE.
Grass, Rope, Encaustic, Wood, Latex Paint and Beads. Dimensions: 24" h x 9" w x 4" d .
TALL ROOT.
Wood, Pine Needles, Thread and Latex Paint. Dimensions: 45" h x 7" w x 7" d .
ARTIST STATEMENT
I practice H/A/R/Tography, which is a combination of my practices of history, art, research and teaching to create new knowledge that supersedes the personal to reach higher socio-cultural understandings. A/R/Tography in general is an art-based method where the practitioner works as an artist, a researcher, and as a teacher. To practice H/A/R/Tography, I explore the conversation between my history and art practice, asking ‘how do I create new knowledge from which others can learn and benefit?’ I work simultaneously as an historian and an artist to create new knowledge. As I walk and work, I trust my process, loosen up and follow the work as it unfolds. Starting out in confusion, I follow my instinct about what might happen, then record what I see and do to document how I combine history and art to create new knowledge. Today, we struggle with White Supremacy in America, the need for greater social justice, and the need to eliminate ‘othering’ of immigrants and people of color. I work through H/A/R/Tography combined with my consideration of higher dimensions, to create new knowledge that works to free people from the constraints of damaging colonialisms that still affect 21st century cultural limitations.