In my solo exhibition, Tall Tales, I explored personal identity through porcelain sculptures and found objects, such as canned pickles, that reflect the domestic female roles embedded in my cultural heritage. Rooted in my upbringing in socially conservative Arkansas, these works combine interior spaces, tied to personal memories, with the exterior landscapes of the Ozarks. Accompanying the sculptures were large-printed and partially redacted memoirs that draw on regional storytelling traditions, omitting certain details to protect aspects of my identity and experiences rarely spoken aloud.

Through this interplay of sculpture and storytelling, I examine the complexity of identity, navigating self-censorship rooted in trauma and regional ideologies. This reflects how I’ve learned to protect myself in an environment that imposes a single mold for acceptable narratives. I grapple with the tension between sharing and withholding: How do we create spaces that shield us from the outside world while preserving the right to opacity? Ultimately, my work seeks to convey the feeling of being unseen in the very place where I feel most connected.

Kresge Art Gallery 101     November-December, 2023