I am a Chicago-based, multidisciplinary artist working at the intersection of art and history. My background in history often informs my artistic practice – research, critical analysis, and persuasive structuring frequently occur within my work. I am drawn to both art and history for the same reason – both fields enable me to explore alternative methods of storytelling. Through my practice, I engage with my audience to generate a new, shared experience.

The materials that I choose to work with vary depending on the requirements of a specific project. Since I typically explore methods of storytelling and critique in my work, text or dialogue is often included to explicitly convey meaning or to forge a connection with viewers. The inclusion of humor in many of my works is crucial to my practice. To me, humor is necessary in any good story, even serious ones – I use moments of levity to soften heavy-handed topics and to bridge the gap between viewers and artwork.

Isolation and togetherness are the prime subjects of my most recent body of work. Since I have spent the last few months mostly in self-quarantine, unable to be physically close to other people, investigating alternate methods of sharing a space has become a priority for me. Whereas my previous works were occasionally site-specific in the sense that they related to Chicago or Evanston, these new works are directly tied to my living space. I alter the appearance of my apartment to complexify or transform its appearance with the help of augmented reality software. Although I am physically alone in a static location, through changing the layout and making the work publicly accessible, a new, communal space can exist.

While historically significant events take place all the time, it truly feels like we are undergoing “new history” on multiple fronts right now – we are the primary sources whose experiences and actions will matter to future generations. Working at the intersection of art and history is certainly interesting right now. The result of my art practice is a decentralized collection of works that converge unexpectedly and harbor critiques that resonate with the present and past. Viewer engagement is a necessary part of that process. Right now, locating moments of collectivity within a space where togetherness is discouraged is critical. And if it’s possible to have some fun at the same time, I’m in.