Inside the Pause

How do we process the experiences we have in life? And how do these encounters change us?

“Most of the work in this exhibit was born during the isolation period of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a strange, challenging, and somewhat surreal time in history. There were many opposing beliefs, unanswered questions, fear, and upheaval. It was a time of collective uncertainty and instability. It brought to the surface the fragility of life and our shared vulnerability.

Reaching for materials I had at hand, I sought to create as a way to soothe myself, to come to terms with, and to make sense of the rapid change we were experiencing collectively.

Using both salvaged and everyday materials, I sought to give form to the strangeness of this historical moment. Nylon stockings, discarded t-shirts, paper pulp made from old journals, house paint, baling wire, and cotton cord – these non-traditional art supplies became tools for creative investigation.

I reflected upon the Eastern philosophy of Impermanence, which states that everything is in a constant state of change and nothing stays the same. This philosophy reminded me of the
fleeting nature of life and the interconnection we experience worldwide today. I wondered how, or if, this global pandemic might transform us.

Through this body of work, I invite viewers to reflect on their own experiences during the pandemic and to consider the ways in which we are all interconnected. By transforming everyday materials into art, I hope to convey a sense of resilience. Ultimately, this exhibit is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to find meaning even in the most challenging times.”