Statement
In August of 2016, I experienced a life-changing accident that left me with irreversible nerve damage, a bulging disc, arthritis, and at one point, homelessness. Since this time, my work has involved the struggles that I faced and how I overcame them. I consider myself to be an identity artist that uses photography, video and installation to express my view.
“Get Lost” and “Spring Cleaning” are two works that address my accident and the means by which I drew strength. “Get Lost” consists of 6” x 6” images of various landscapes/horizons that I was able to lose myself in. The Instagram symbol for tagging a person, was collaged within the landscapes to remind the viewers that it is very easy for a person to lose themselves in this world. But at the same time, this world can help someone who is lost. “Spring Cleaning” consisted of 5” x 5” & 20’ x 20” photographs installed with video projections of color and water abstractions on my windshield at the carwash. I was given a monthly pass to the carwash whilst I was homeless and found solace and tranquility watching these images.
“The Baths” is a series of images I shot at the Sutro Baths in San Francisco. Created as a documentary style photography project, that details the condition of the structures that are still there and how the site is used today.
I am currently working on two projects: “Parks and Rec” and “Telephone Bob.” The first project contains texture studies, landscapes and architecture within the State Parks and National Recreation Areas of Northern California. This series is practice for my dream job: Photographer for the National Park Service.
The second project, “Telephone Bob” is in honor of my father who passed away in 2011. The name of the project was his nickname (he was a telephone repair man.) I will be self-publishing a book that will include: images of phones and their accoutrements, photos of my dad, his tools, letters that I have from him and various other memorabilia.
CV
EDUCATION
2020 BFA / Sonoma State University (SSU) / Rohnert Park / CA
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2016 – Present
Photo Lab Monitor / SSU / Rohnert Park / CA
Selected Group Exhibitions
2018
Prismatic / Rage Gallery / SSU / Rohnert Park / CA
Juried Student Exhibition / University Art Gallery / SSU / Rohnert Park, CA
2019
Reading Room / Rage Gallery / SSU / Rohnert Park, CA
No Show / SSU Department of Art and Art History / Rohnert Park, CA
Juried Student Exhibition / University Art Gallery / SSU / Rohnert Park, CA
BFA Student Exhibition / University Art Gallery / SSU / Rohnert Park, CA
Publications
2018 “Get Lost” Self-Publication
2019 “Spring Cleaning” Self-Publication