SELECTED SERIES
ἔξοδος (Exodus), translated from ancient Greek as “the way out,” signifies a departure. The cheeky paintings and conceptual pieces in this exhibition cleverly give way to serious contemplation calling attention to perceptions of virtue in our society - virtues rooted in religion. As ecumenical endeavors abound to foster a deeper sense of unity among Christians, old habits die hard. There is a gathering momentum of critical activity around the subject of religion and the arts.
This exhibition offers a critical glance into one woman’s experiences growing up in and
eventually abandoning the evangelical church. Through paintings and conceptual installations, the historical framework of contemporary religious institutions and narrative structures, especially, but not exclusively, those related to women are unraveled. I hope to create a dialog among fellow artists, scholars, religious leaders, students and a wider public audience by illuminating this important subject and asking, can we as a society leave all this subjugative dogma rooted in religion behind? Can we question these institutions, but also to foster a positive, critical interaction between
contemporary art and American Christianity?
Angiospermae et Natura
Occasionally, when we're bogged down deep with worry, we just want to escape and take a visual cue from the beauty of the natural world around us. I use my travels and research to develop a representative narrative that I hope will open our minds to philosophical ideas about our own connection to nature and beyond.
Sometimes this takes leads me to iconography related to plant defense mechanisms that are often scattered throughout my work. Defense mechanisms in plants often manifest themselves as impenetrable barriers or adaptations such as the thorns of the rose. To me, these plant devices are a metaphor for the psychological strategies humans use for emotional security.
Canis Lupus familiaris
Inspired by other artists such as Jamie Wyeth, Evelyn McCorristin Peters and, of course, George Rodrigue’s fabulous Blue Dogs, I often return to an attempt to capture the whimsical character of dogs - as we should all aspire to be as carefree, faithful and loving as our beloved canine companions. I completely concur with my fellow Oklahoman Will Rogers when he said, "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."
