Statement
Today, our ability to have an effect on the environment is unequaled due to incredible advances in technology. As well, our understanding of the consequences created by these dramatic changes has also never been greater. It is now becoming apparent that man-made environmental degradation has been one of the most significant factors causing the unexplained collapse of many past civilizations. With a desire to contribute to the ongoing record of human history, I create works that invite the viewer to reflect on the state of our contemporary landscape.
In my work, I compose images that distort the contextual references created by patterns found in different forms of land use. I overlay these perspectives of the land with images that connect the everyday with nature, history, mythology, and social politics. These landscapes look back at us trying to reveal some message for today. It is this view from above that best illustrates our world, not as a series of boundary lines and terrain, but as a complex, fragile living entity.
I have chosen to work in ceramic tile, not only for its physical practicality, but also for the conceptual associations it lends to the subject of each piece. As controllable and repetitive units, tile acts as both a decorative and functional veil that conceals less pleasing structures beneath. Throughout history ceramic tile has been used as an integral part of architecture to communicate both civic and sacred displays of power, wealth, history, and doctrine. I make use of this history by placing my work in direct dialogue with these public works of the past. In contrast, tile also serves in more domestic settings as a common place building material. This allows the viewer a distinctive sense of immediacy and familiarity not found with many other materials.
