The diverse experiences humans have with natural and artificial environments fascinates me. I have been exploring techniques in how to captivate and entice an audience to contemplate the information I present concerning environmental preservation. It is oftentimes the substantial number of homogeneous yet unique pieces that initially attracts people to my work. When they discover they can pick them up, closely analyze their individual details, and even take one for free, they become eager to participate in the adventure I propose upon them. The hands-on approach of my work encourages enthusiasm to learn and a willingness to complete the challenge they have been presented. Educating and raising awareness of environmental issues are important functions of my work, but audience interaction fulfills its purpose. Bringing these issues to light puts pressure on participants to analyze their own daily rituals and how they are contributing to the environmental impacts of humans. As people gather around my work and share what they are learning, it prompts dynamic discussions and the exchange of information, often between strangers. Clay is my primary medium, however the materials I use are tailored to fit the project at hand. Creating custom elements such as hand-drawn decals allows me to personalize each piece within an installation. Through researching and creating new works, I am always absorbing new information and incorporating it into an engaging experience from which others can learn. |