Biggie

 My military experience has given me an awareness that you can accomplish almost anything on your own. Though, I feel that true success is achieved when a team of like-minded individuals, passionate about achieving the same goal, serve together. Transitioning from military life is difficult for a myriad of reasons. The loss of such a team-oriented culture is one of the aspects I miss most. My sculptural work attempts to not only create a dialogue about service and the unique atmosphere it creates. As often as possible, I focus my studio practice around methods that rely on teamwork. 

 The sculptural techniques I implement are also an attempt to impart multiple mental aspects of military life. A sense of urgency when completing time sensitive or tasks that are mission critical and minimizing energy output while maximizing effectiveness and force. I attempt to bring in these aspects of military life using a variety of technical skills and methods to impart my own translation onto the objects. This combination of techniques allows me to create objects using minimal movements and an economy of touch on the objects. Hopefully, leaving them with a specific charged energy and emotion.   

This practice also gives me the opportunity to analyze the complex relationship people have with inanimate everyday objects and the formation of memories. This creation of these sculptural objects focuses less on a detailed re-creation. The precise details of the sculpture take on qualities of faded memories becoming loose and changed with the passage of time.  

These objects ultimately granting me the ability to connect with other veterans about their memories via physical form. Sparking conversation about service, conjuring up a range of emotions for the viewer. This has also presented me with a unique opportunity to reflect on my time in the U.S. Air Force. Exploring how these experiences have shaped my perspective on life. Leading me with what I feel like is the most important aspect of my work. The ability to create an opportunity for dialogue about what military service in America means in the early 2000’s, with service and non-service members in my community and abroad.