Videos
suspension
The "Suspension" series is a precursor for a world-altering change. Surreal and symbolic at once, the series reveals a new light on the horizon, beyond the incubation of our minds. Each image has intricate negative, and positive space addressing the physical moment of rising then floating off again.
remembering one year:
sonoma fire aftermath
Photo Documentary
The Museums of Sonoma County
“From the Fire: A Community Reflects and Rebuilds”
2017—The First Year Anniversary
The October 2017 wildfires raged through bucolic Sonoma County for 22 days. Along with thousands of others, I was evacuated from my home during a firestorm that ultimately killed 47 people, destroyed over 5,000 homes, scorched 245,000 acres, and will cost more than $14.5 billion. Sonoma Fire Aftermath is a collection of photographs that gives voice to anguish, grief, and recovery after the devastating wildfires. My three-year project documents the fire destruction and the rebuilding and revitalizing, both internally and externally, that followed.
Throughout the burned-out neighborhoods, I discovered small archeological treasures: a thimble, a broken figurine, a ring box—the remains of a person’s life. I am interested in the way survivors make sense of the calamity, how they put their lives back together.
Over the past year, my healing has come from documenting the leveled neighborhoods, shattered lives, wasted resources, and ultimately global climate change. Half-present, half-disassociated, partially lost in my craft, sometimes crying—I continue to photograph what is now turning into hope.
The love that has grown and bonded the community feeds my faith in humankind. Homes are popping out of the blackened earth; a transformation is happening, heroes walk among us, the worst is over.
My feelings were parallel with the curators at the Museums of Sonoma County. “From the Fire : A Community Reflects and Rebuilds” commemorates the 1st year anniversary of the Oct 2017 fires exhibiting six artists and myself. I am creating three monumental mobiles of my photos digitally printed on chiffon.
The exhibition is meant to bond our individual attempts to process and honor what we lost while cherishing what was gained -- new perspectives, stronger bonds, and a profound appreciation for the human spirit. It is hoped that the combination of community-based artworks, installations by professional artists, and salvaged objects will create a meaningful experience that will prove to be healing and renewing to the community, and will inspire us to continue to grow together.
To see more images of the 2017 fire click the address below:
temporary altars
“Temporary Altars”, digitally printed chiffon mobiles (five), 4’ x 16’ each.
Location: South Terminal (Concourse J), pre-security, east elevator lobby, third & fourth level.
The series ”Temporary Altars” was born from my search for spiritual enlightenment in the midst of my escapist response to current global situations. The altars are in the tradition of Tibetan Thangkas, transportable references for meditation. It also is a sort of Stonehenge of glass, music, and math in the "pure painting" compositions of Kandinsky or Sonia Delaunay's prismatic light.