Current Work (2020)

Artist Statement:
Symbols are used and applied in many contexts, often out of place. Flags, being identifiers of one’s dedication to their country and pride, have also been misused by hateful people throughout history. The US flag is a symbol that honors the sacrifices of troops, a celebration of conflict or a statement during protests, protected in our first amendment rights. Ideal patriotism is a false representation of this nation brewed by hate and ignorance. This country has established its authoritarian presence through genocide and fascism; allowing patriotism to be used by hate groups, such as the Proud Boys, to assert authority over others, deeming themselves more American. Entitled righteousness and ideal patriotism in the form of celebrating conflict is not patriotic. America was founded on the ideals of freedom, equality and justice, however, we have never been able to achieve that for everyone in this country due to flawed power structures embedded in the foundation. Patriotism considers the constitution and acknowledges the flaws of our country where we have fallen short and what can be improved upon.
This concept has been the base of my work for over a year, and the recent change/pressure in the political climate has pushed me to further explore the complexities of politics. While presenting the sensitive topic of racism as a white woman can appear to be performative, the majority, being a white audience, often only listen to those like them. This is why we have seen an influx of easily digestible infographics and carousels explaining racism and other injustices online. Because of their inability to sympathize with struggles they have not had, more white artists have emerged with work to educate the majority about systemic corruption.
I deconstruct American patriotic symbolism and color using the civil flag archetype for my representation. I utilize the same colors as the flag for their individual meaning and sentimental resonance. The individual pieces of fabric being woven together, mirrors the individual identity existing within the American system. Always being interested in fibers and hands on work, I chose to weave in relation to color as a way to depict my upbringing and reiterating the individual experience. I assemble different popular consumer materials like plastic bags, hand dyed canvas and found street signs, generating organized forms to be read semiotically with a craft appeal. Modernist abstractions influence my practice by taking the form of plain weaving techniques that are geared towards modern narratives. The combination of application techniques I use to manipulate my materials, allows me to continue and reinvent other concepts in future work. My paintings nicely present the idealist nature of patriotic intentions, the unity and justice for all while employing the aesthetic of American kitsch. The flag we use and hang pridefully represents more than a naive support within a hypocrisy and it’s about time we talk about it.