Artist Statement:

My creative practice focuses on revealing unfamiliar natural histories of human-transformed ecosystems and the ecology of the built environment. Through drawing, photography, video, sculpture, design and site-based ecological works, I explore connections between humans and more-than-human entities to cultivate relationships and foster a heightened sense of ecological responsibility.

Many people have little access to large, protected natural areas because of where they live, their financial resources, or other sociocultural factors. This lack of access can make it challenging to spark interest in positive environmental action from people who are conditioned to see natural areas as distant or other. This leads to the question, how do we garner a higher degree of attention, concern, and participation toward ecologically positive action from people who might not identify as environmentalist or eco-conscious?

Confronting deep-seated assumptions, I draw attention to the contrast between culturally generated understandings of the natural world and everyday experiences of unmanaged plants and animals. My work provides opportunities for people to re-engage their sense of wonder by deepening connections with other species and learning their often-unknown stories. These experiences encourage participation in the cultivation of better shared spaces for all of us.