We Carry It With Us
A pivotal moment in my recent work came after a visit to Montgomery, Alabama, a week after October 7th. Emotionally distraught and heartbroken at the time—a state I continue to navigate—I found myself drawn to the many boarded-up homes and businesses in the area. Despite never having been there before, I felt a profound connection to the place. The structures carried a palpable weight, steeped in sadness and history, as if they were silent witnesses to untold stories. This mirrored my own emotional landscape, and the experience deeply resonated with me.
My current work explores this interplay between place and emotion. As I process my experiences, my paintings reflect both the unique character of Montgomery and my personal emotional state. I’ve incorporated fragments of letters from my maternal grandfather, who passed away during WWII. His final words to my grandmother, embedded within the collage, add a personal layer to the work—like a presence that is felt but unseen.