"Mom, It's For You"

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MFA Thesis Exhibition

"The only Commandment I ever obeyed —‘Consider the Lilies.’ "

– Emily Dickinson, in a letter to a friend

For the past three years, I too have been faithful in the command to consider. Considering is a multi-part act: it involves observing, reflecting, and listening. With this understanding, I approached the lilies (and the poppies, blue delphinium, wild hyacinth, etc.) as an artist-scientist, poking and prodding at these flowers from every literal, metaphorical, and spiritual angle that time and my infant child would allow. The resulting body of work includes a series of macro images, meditations, and an experiential space.

In The Land of the Living

The entirety of baby clothes I received for my son – not including the ones I already donated or exchanged, nor the Christmas gifts I left at my cousin’s because he lives in Burbank and no set of onesies is worth braving the 5 for.

50x9’

2022-2023

They have no voice, they use no words, yet the lilies speak volumes about the dichotomy between toil and provision. The details of the blooms, the never-ending laundry, the ability of wildflowers to thrive despite fire and flood – all point to the sacredness of everyday moments. Matisse once said “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” To which I will add – all you have to do is look.