Artist Statement

The desire to seek comfort is an innate characteristic connecting all living things. Change, however, is an inevitable force, which can often disrupt one’s sense of comfort and throw them into a state of liminality. In this state, one is vulnerable as they are suspended between the familiar and the unknown - forced to adapt and live with the discomfort in order to escape it. This process is often difficult, as new environments can bring about challenges and anxieties. In my illustrative and ceramic work, the interaction between the animals, plants, objects form narratives exploring the complex relationship humans have with comfort.

Every person has a unique life full of intricacies hidden from the public eye. When faced with discomfort, humans tend to disguise their defense and coping mechanisms through other types of behavior, while conversely, animals and plants have developed certain behavior and defense mechanisms that prompt them to reveal when they feel threatened or uncomfortable.  In this body of work, humans take on the form of wild animals, telling stories through their body language and interaction with plants, objects, and atmospheres. As familiarity crumbles away, they are forced to abandon the deeply embedded habits that form their comfort zone and find new ways to navigate these liminal moments. While doing so, they are unabashedly expressing raw, human emotion, completely stripped from the societal pressure of maintaining an emotional façade.