Tell us about yourself:
I’m an artist focused on memory, nostalgia, and blurring the boundary between reality and imagination. Working primarily in oil paint & pastel, I approach my work as a journey into an alternate reality where scenes and objects interact to tell stories about our contemporary existence. I love to use vibrant colors, diverse textures, and opulent maximalism.
What is the inspiration behind your poster design?
The prompt “Embrace Togetherness” immediately resonated with me. It’s dynamic, it has movement. As I was thinking about how I wanted to portray it, Matisse’s Dancers kept popping into my mind. I knew I wanted to show four strong, diverse figures holding hands as they whirl around in the moonlight. What’s more primal than dancing? I think its proof of our human desire for connection, movement, and rhythm.
Please tell us why you think inclusivity and solidarity are essential in our society…
Feeling seen, understood, and represented is so important. Humanity is missing out on so much beauty & wisdom when we don’t take or look for opportunities to come together to be loving, accepting and open-minded towards one another. Art is one of the best ways for us to tap into the collective consciousness, so I really admire the Pick Project movement and all it stands for.
How can we create a more inclusive design world and ensure that everyone is represented?
I’m not sure on the design world, but the art world in general could use a shake-up in the equal-opportunities department; having more POCs, women, and queer people in positions of power would certainly move the eye of the inclusivity needle quicker. Marginalized artists everywhere are constantly coming up against the gatekeepers who (usually) value art created by the elite, white and/or male the most, and that’s a huge disservice to society. We need people in the art world that not only use their influence to support inclusivity, but believe in the cultural necessity and relevance of showcasing different perspectives.
