"Mending Space" group show at Perspective Space, Encinitas, CA
This last July, I was lucky enough to be part of a group show alongside six other very talented artists, Karina Bania, Kelsey Overstreet, Jori Johnson, Veronica Bruce-Woodward, Sarah Shreves and Bethany Kelley. I’m very thankful because I not only had a show with these ladies, but I get to meet with them on a monthly basis where we give helpful critiques of each others studio practice.
The idea behind Mending Space was to reflect the way as an artist support group that meets together regularly, we are mutually bonded by our desire to see ideas grow and to sharpen each of our visual offerings. The show vocalizes the fractured terrain of individual art practices being made whole through community.
gallery image courtesy of Sarah Shreves
I’ve been quietly working away on some new work for this show, which stemmed from a group critique we had of my studio work back in February. I won’t go into the finer detail but this crit session literally blew my mind and really opened the doors to further expanding my art practice.
These pieces are a combination of a long term photographic project where I explored the idea of home. I’m a bit of a third culture kid, being of both Japanese and German descent and being brought up in New Zealand, this project was named ‘Uchi’ which is Japanese for home. It arose out of a yearning to create a portrait of home: a portrait of its goodness and imperfections, one of feelings, colours, seasons, light, and food. I have wanted to portray my multiple homes through the residue of life that they contain.
I combined the photographic element with playful exploration of natural dying, using natural elements found in my everyday and present home. In some ways, and I’ll be honest here, I’m still thinking this all through, I’ve tried to combine both a tactile and visual representation of home.
gallery image courtesy of Sarah Shreves
I’m pretty excited about this new work. It’s by no means finished, and I’m happily considering all the ways I can continue to push my art practice.
If you are interested in purchasing any of these pieces, they are now available in the shop section of my website. I know larger pieces are expensive so payment plans are available, please feel free to reach out and enquire.
