“Current Reflections” was a solo show at Relay Ridge Gallery in Knoxville, TN.
September 1 - October 13, 2023
I make this artwork as a therapeutic outlet for me to process my experiences as a human. So, naturally, when the pandemic brought meaningless feelings about the value of what I do, it became fuel for new work. Screens, solar power, and technology have been recurring themes for me, but now that I have moved into an off-grid home, these thoughts on electricity - literally, power lines connecting our homes (or not)- have taken on new meanings. The singularity of looking at screens alone in our homes, and yet connecting us to everything…how is that affecting our inner personal dialogue? Our feelings of self-worth? How is that affecting our relationships with other humans?
My medium is principally color knitting, using a domestic knitting machine, but I also love to explore all kinds of textile techniques, especially the super-kitschy ones that are usually not seen as “art”. Working under the constructs of these techniques has helped me narrow my focus and find a voice as an artist. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with dyeing more of my yarns, as well as blending embroidery and paint into the surface of the knittings. This latest work is also me pushing the boundaries of how I choose to frame and present my work, thanks to my partner, Adam Joyce, woodworker-extraordinaire.