My work derives from child-like wonder. I convey the feeling of living through a story, entire lives experienced in a single snapshot, and the intricate tangibility of those complex emotions. I take little pieces—whether they are the grooves across aged porcelain, years of life lived and encapsulated in miniatures, sketches, or brand design—and connect them authentically and tangibly.
Each sculptural work is a snapshot gateway to a world beyond our own, familiar but fantastical, dark but comforting, encouraging viewers to lean in and get lost. Each design comes from a place of connection, where bits of human recognition come together through technical knowledge. Like a child hungrily roaming an old library, I aim to create a sense of pure wonder and exploration.
Looking back, what advice would you give yourself?
Your journey will look different from those around you, but that doesn’t mean it’s a wasted journey.
What's your favorite A+D memory?
1. Screaming with my fellow 3D studies classmate over her engagement ring.
2. Building a chair with my design group, getting wood glue everywhere, and furiously crocheting a pillow to cover up said wood glue.
3. Sitting in the sculpture studio far too late and watching all three How to Train Your Dragon movies in a row.
What was your favorite A+D class?
I firmly believe all A+D students should take at least one sculpture class. Working with my hands grounded me, brought me closer to my fellow students, and inspired a strong passion for creating tangible works. Sculpture ignited a fire in me that kept me running, even through exhausting hours and demanding classes.
What moment, project, and/or critique in your Art + Design career at AU has been pivotal to who you are as an artist or creator?
The lectures of Graphic Art History fundamentally changed how I viewed the world and how it operates chronologically. In knowing the in-depth history behind design movements and works, I can operate and create in a well-informed, empathetic, and God-given way.
What's next for you?
I want to keep creating, and never stopping. I hope to work in a design studio full time and create sculptures on the side.
How do you hope your work makes an impact?
The world is vast and can feel very isolating. I hope my work can invite a moment of empathy, wonder, or enjoyment in an otherwise rushed and lonely life.