Mixed Media & Sculpture

Rise

Mixed media assemblage and collage

45" x 45½" x 11½"

2025

The Tree of Life is a significant and widely recognized symbol across numerous cultures and belief systems. It represents the ever-growing, interconnected, and cyclical nature of existence, signifying the mutual relationship between the physical and spiritual realms. The natural elements—earth, air, water, and fire—are considered fundamental to the harmony among all things in the universe. When this harmony is disrupted, instability and chaos result.
Amidst the ruins of the division, conflict, and destruction in our world, we must tap into our indomitable human spirit so we can rise above our obstacles and adversities. By harnessing the life force of air, the flow and adaptability of water, the passion and energy of fire, and the grounded stability of earth, we can adapt to the challenge of an ever-changing world, growing stronger and letting our hope lift us as we continue to strive for harmony and peace among all of humanity.

Awaken

Mixed media assemblage with illumination

58 1/2" x 17 1/4" x 21 1/2"

2022–2023

From "Transcendence"

"Awaken", the first piece in "Transcendence", is a tiered, illuminated, monochromatic mixed media sculpture-in-the-round that utilizes an ascending progression from closed to open space, and the emergence of light, to represent one’s personal spiritual journey. A knotted rope, wending its way from the bottom to the top, guides viewers on an ascent through a series of defined realms, each with its own found objects that symbolize personal conflict and struggle. The monochromatic black quality of these assembled found objects is designed to emphasize their form over the functions they once served. For example, a set of decorative metal spheres becomes a gnarled trap from which the rope escapes. Simple file dividers become a maze of impediments through which the rope navigates. As the composition opens, the knots of the rope progressively loosen as it ascends past doorknobs and a lock that allude to barriers that once were. The top tier comprises an enclosure of black metal escutcheons, from which light breaks through the keyholes and cracks. The rope, acting as a lifeline and a vehicle for transcendence, emerges free of its confines, rising into the light and beyond. In our own lives, we can harness our spirituality to deconstruct and transcend our own barriers in our pursuit of purpose and meaning in life. Our faith and indomitable spirit can instill in each of us the strength to survive and overcome physical impediments that tie us to the mundane, in the hope that our light will continue to shine into a new day.

Rise

Mixed media on horizontally-positioned canvas

2023

From "Transcendence"

"Rise", the second work in "Transcendence", is an achromatic, open-form mixed media sculpture-in-the-round that explores our capacity to summon our inner spiritual power. A series of organic white shapes struggle to break free from a cluster of gnarled black forms that emerge from the viscous base. Curving and twisting, the ascending shapes of light—evoked by the reduction of form, the absence of color, the open, interconnected contours, and the directional, flowing negative spaces—reach outward and upward to elude and then overcome the dark forms. Through its abstractness, the darkness can represent anyone’s personal adversities. In contrast, the ethereal quality of the light shapes is designed to portray the essence of spirituality as not externally visible or tangible, but internally visceral. During times of conflict and struggle, we often discover that we may be stronger than we believe. Even amidst the darkest of adversities, our own light can be found and kindled within our sustained faith and hope.

Prevail

Mixed media assemblage with illumination on canvas

52 1/2" x 35 1/4" x 11"

2023

From "Transcendence"

"Prevail", the third and final piece in "Transcendence", is an illuminated, monochromatic three-dimensional work of mixed media on canvas that conveys the potential of spirituality to deconstruct societal barriers. These are represented by several layers of obstructive, intertwining man-made physical barriers: fencing, chain, a brick wall, barbed wire, nails, bars, and glass. The use of monochromatic black is meant to subordinate the individual objects to the larger whole and evoke the feeling of being trapped and confined in a dark, unsettling space. A seemingly impenetrable environment transforms as light breaks through cracks, keyholes, and other openings. A knotted rope guides viewers as it enters the environment from below, maneuvering through the barriers and gradually loosening as it follows their deconstruction, breaking the canvas confines. Societal barriers—such as inequality, discrimination, and violence—are designed to hold people back both physically and spiritually. Through the use of pure form, a universal language, this piece seeks to connect with all viewers, transcend the mundane, and facilitate a spiritual connection (Rebecca). This accessibility is meant to communicate that we are all interrelated as humans in a shared world, thus instilling in us the responsibility to take steps toward uniting on a common level, breaking through and transcending our societal barriers (Rebecca). Prevail aims to convey that a spiritual connection may be the key to illuminating our societal impediments, bringing ourselves closer to unified solutions to our shared issues.

Transcendence

Presentation video

06:28

2023

I am deeply interested in spirituality as a means of reaching viewers on an apophatic and visceral level. I have become increasingly inspired to direct my artistic goals and practices toward facilitating spiritual contemplation and reflection among viewers, guiding them—beyond the initial viewing experience—to broaden their awareness and understanding of ourselves, others, and our world. Art, whether evoking a sense of comfort and peace or feelings of unease and being challenged, is a way into the soul and a vehicle through which we can ignite a spark of personal transformation that empowers each of us to connect with others on a common spiritual level. It is more crucial now than ever that we turn to ourselves and one another to acknowledge our differences, transcend our conflicts, and embrace our interconnectedness in pursuit of global solidarity and unity. Our capacity to tap into the power of our spirituality, individually and collectively, may be the key to addressing the reality we share and initiating a positive, meaningful impact on our world. Such insights and aspirations compelled me to create "Transcendence", a trilogy of works that explores different capacities of spirituality.