Relief of Illness and Innocence
2015
Rubylith, hand cut with x-acto knife
Innocence and Illness
2015
Digital
Relief of Exposure and Composure
2016
Rubylith, hand cut with x-acto knife
Exposure and Composure
2016
Digital
Marks Left
2015-2016
Archival Digital Prints on Mylar
My understanding of people being utterly defenseless against cancer has framed my identity from an early age. I have witnessed the breakdown of the fragile human body specifically female figures throughout my life. I am the woman I am today due to the nurturing grace and ferocity they projected during their trials. This body of work is an exploratory biopsy of my inner dialogue to make sense of the chaos. Exposing this part of my life visually for the first time allows me to see symbolism that I can now draw strength from and weaknesses that I can now overcome.
The process of making these involves a red film called rubylith which I use as a very thin form of relief printing. By using a sharp blade I can delicately remove the parts of the rubylith to create my compositions. Once I have finished carving the piece I scan it into Photoshop, compose the colors, and refine the image to the point where I can then laser print onto clear mylar.
The pieces were then suspended using screws sunk partially into the wall then secured with magnets. Leaving space between the print and the wall. This allowed light to pass through the piece giving a stained glass appearance.
For Alison, Betty, Jean, Jeanne, Jenna, Darlene, Mary Anna, Nancy-Caroline,
and my Mom, Maureen.
Additionally, for every person that is a witness to grief, loss, & finding a new normal.