Artist Statement

My studio practice defies conventional boundaries, encompassing a diverse range of disciplines including design, curation, music, sculpture, mixed media, video, and social practice. Central to my artistic philosophy is the concept of composting, which transcends its literal meaning to symbolize a profound cycle of transformation and renewal, mirroring nature's resilience and adaptive processes.

My artistic exploration delves into the intricate landscapes of institutional and systemic oppression, with a specific focus on themes related to health, food, and agriculture. This journey is deeply rooted in shedding light on the enduring resilience and agency of Black communities amidst the backdrop of deeply entrenched structural challenges. My work not only explores historical and contemporary resilience strategies but also envisages future paradigms that foster cultural empowerment, self-reliance, and collective nurturing.

One notable piece in my body of work, "Razed Bed #2," deliberately deviates from traditional minimalism, embracing both simplicity and profound subjectivity. Utilizing a restrained material palette, geometric abstraction, and monochromatic tones, it weaves a poignant narrative. This narrative is etched into the blackened wood and charred edges, embodying the Atlantic slave trade, colonization, and other historical intersections of racism and capitalism. Simultaneously, it engages with contemporary issues such as racial plagiarism, food apartheid, gentrification, climate chaos, and the geopolitical turmoil of 2023 and '24.

Enclosed within the sculpture's base is a plastic bucket containing soil, compost, and heirloom collard seeds. This placement serves as a reminder of how the cultural contributions of Black folks are often co-opted and commodified by non-Black people, making them inaccessible to the communities from which they originated. It also underscores the vitality and sanctity of these materials; they are not mere substances but living, sacred elements that provide sustenance and wisdom. This aspect of the work encourages contemplation on how nurturing soil, practicing composting, and growing food can catalyze transformative impacts on exploited ecosystems and communities as well as uplift individual consciousness.

This installation extends into an immersive experience with accompanying mixed media drawings and a video component (which features an original composition by my band, Saint State Street), offering a window into the creative genesis of "Razed Bed #2" and elucidating the intricate interplay between the finished object and the painstaking process of making it.