Artist Statement

Microaggressions are defined as subtle, intentional — and oftentimes unintentional — everyday interactions or behaviors that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative racial messages or assumptions toward historically marginalized groups.

The difference between microaggressions and overt discrimination, is that people who commit microaggressions are often unaware they are doing these things – and if you point it out to them, they say, “That wasn’t my intention, you are being too sensitive.” Which is yet another microaggression.

I often have the experience of people touching my hair without asking first, which makes me feel like a merchandise on display. The weight of these daily interactions underpins very real consequences… stress, anger, frustration, self-doubt and ultimately feelings of powerlessness and invisibility.

Using racial injustice as a starting point, I juxtapose various fibers with a variety of found materials using free form weaving, coiling, knotting, wrapping and jewelry making techniques. 

Extensions of rope, wrapped, woven, knotted, and embellished with recycled bottle caps, zip ties and ribbons and lure you into a hue-imbued, installations symbolizing natural hair and body armor.

These bold whimsical sculptures gingerly invite the audience into off the-wall conversations about microaggressions, stereotypes and implicit bias. Each a meticulous collection of memories and unexpected materials, transformed by their collective memory to become “social fabric” weaving together contemporary issues and personal narratives.