Relative Space
Exhibition dates: April 6 - 13, 2023
Opening reception: Thursday, April 6th, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
The Farm, Maple, black walnut, cherry, steel, 2021
Education: A Series, Red Oak from UNCA’s campus, acrylic mirror, milk paint, 2021
Shared Warmth, Body and Soul, Reclaimed brick and red oak, cherry, 2022
Grace, Steam bent hickory, organic latex, wool batting, my great, great grandmother’s hand sewn quilt top, 2022
Artist Statement
The term place is broadly defined as a particular point or location in space. Western North Carolina is an area with a well known description; the mountainous region of the state and a sub region of Appalachia. This body of work is a result of the innate need to create a personal definition of place and to rediscover the area I call home.
The autobiographical work within this series is a reflection of a journey towards self discovery. Inherent to the materials utilized is a history of an individual’s actions, whether they are mine or of other’s. Appalachian women's history is referenced through the symbolism of family quilts in conjunction with other found materials. The use of domestic hardwoods from the region keeps the concept and materials based around the idea of locality. The reclaimed materials symbolize my family's history as a piece of the broader Appalachian story. Joining together the concepts of place and self in more personal terms, topographical maps were referenced to highlight significant locations within the county. Interviews were conducted with family members to gain a better understanding of the family’s history and the impacts that the landscape had on their lives.
This work highlights the complex landscape and history of Madison County as it pertains to the development of identity. This is accomplished by placing emphasis on the chosen materials and the forms the objects take. These pieces contain a specific narrative, blurring the line between traditional craft and fine art through their historical and interactive circumstances. This body of work is primarily functional, reflecting on relationships cultivated through the physical interactions that occur around these pieces. This focus brings awareness to the ways in which humans engage with their environments, who we share these spaces with, and how a particular place can connect to a sense of individuality.