Winning Something Unwanted, 2024
Sash
Copper, vitreous enamel, steel hardware, wire
23in x 2in with 28in chain
Today’s internet culture is filled with people my age throwing around the words twink, fruitcake, fruity, zesty, and more, trying to be funny for some likes. Along with that, being assigned the label of “the gay kid” reduces me to one singular identifying part of who I am. Together, this combo of real life issues lights an inextinguishable fire of frustration in me. This sash is a symbol of my anger, a physical manifestion of the label many expect me to be proud of. How can I be proud when I am simply a joke to many?
Now and at the Hour of Our Death, 2023
Necklace
Nickel, brass, sterling silver, fortunes, keyring, shoelace
7in x 5in with 24in shoelace
I used to be proud of who I was, but after coming into contact with a lot of religious-based hatred online, I found myself struggling with internalized homophobia. Often times, I feel that I “lost the lottery of life” by being born gay. Combining the symbols of fortune cookie fortunes, the Holy Cross, and a purple shoelace, this versatile necklace is a testament to this insecurity.
Indivisible?, 2023
Necklace
Nickel, nylon rope
Dimensions vary based on neck size
I made this for the Artist Influence project for my jewelry studio class. I chose Jennifer Crupi, a contemporary jewelry artist that creates “forced gestures.” Indivisible? is a work questioning the validity of The Pledge of Allegiance. It is a critique of patriotism’s deadly grip on our country, which results in the political division that affects our daily lives.
Dunce, 2023
Necklace
Nickel, phototransfer on stoneware, steel hardware
32in x 8in x 8in
The deterioration of one’s own intelligence is a difficult concept to navigate. Through self-portraiture photography, ceramics, and metalsmithing, Dunce dives into such a notion. Just like the feeling of chronic, progressive foolishness, this full-body wearable object is constantly locked onto the wearer, weighing them down. It is uncomfortable and embarrassing to wear. A critical self-reflection leaves an uncertain question: is one truly stupid if they can translate said stupidity into artwork?
The Sacrifice, 2023
Brooch
Prescription glasses lenses, phototransfer on stoneware, sterling silver, copper, nickel
2in x 3in x 0.25in
I have been told a lot that I look great without glasses. In the Fall of 2022, I stopped wearing my glasses because of this. I am scared of wearing contacts, so I effectively sacrificed my vision for my looks. A brooch is all about beautifully adorning the body. I found this to be an interesting comparison with my struggle for attractiveness, as a brooch is additive, while this issue is subtractive.
Euthanize My Digital Self, 2022
Mouthpiece
Nickel, sterling silver, vinyl tubing, artist’s baby teeth, semiconductors
2in x 3in x 1.25in
This piece tackles my existential fear that I will be here forever because of how fast our technology is advancing. By the time I die, there will probably be technology to upload my consciousness to the cloud where my soul will be forever digital, never able to finally rest. The idea of eternal agony like this absolutely terrifies me, and is something that keeps me awake at night.