Bio

“Evolutionary adaptation is the adjustment of organisms to their environment in order to improve their chances at survival in that environment.” – The National Geographic.

I play with this phenomenon through the premise of intergalactic transplants co-mingling in our world’s various biomes, only to ultimately be collected as specimens for hobbyists and institutions alike. Where do these creatures come from? What are they? WHO are they?

As a mixed race tomboy kid I never fit nicely into the social standards set by society at large. I was extremely shy, and very good at staying occupied with my eyes glued to the ground; scanning for cool rocks,neat sticks, et cetera to collect in my limitless pockets. The older I grew, the more obvious it became that I was an unusual sort to the people I would meet along the way. I resorted to studying the past to try to make sense of, and gain context for what was happening around me. Researching history led into biology, which led into geology, which led into chemistry, into physics, and so on and so forth!

An important lesson I learned was that my gender did not have to be constrained by a binary system, and thus I began the process of embracing my place in the fluid, unrestricted spaces of society. Realizing I could travel my own path and still qualify as a whole person has been my evolutionary adaptation. This body of work is an homage to that former kid; a celebration of playfulness and unbridled curiosity. My goal is to encourage open dialogue with each other about what it means to belong, to foster connection, to contribute to history, and to learn how to have fun with each other again.