Title: “Sacred Objects: Accomplishments”

Medium: Found Objects, Human Hair

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 8in x 10in x 6in

Year Completed: April 1, 2022

Installation Notes: Hang on nail.

Artist Notes: Referencing the African spirituality around hair, I encased objects I deemed “Sacred” from my life. Sanctifying it with my hair, these objects are a symbolic gesture of containing aspects of me that I am most appreciative of. In making these pieces, I wonder “What is it that makes an object ‘Sacred’ to a person?” I often question if I even have anything of worth outside of my bias. I wonder if I have done anything worth while or if my life was an entire waste. Earning my eagle rank in Boys Scouts of America was one of the achievements I am most proud of. To this day, when conducting projects an initiatives to help communities, I refer to my work earning Eagle to provide structure to the project. I sanctified the Eagle Rank as it was the artifact that what I did mattered. That somehow, both within and out of my ego, I mattered.

Title: “Sacred Objects: Liberation”

Medium: Found Objects, Human Hair

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 8in x 10in x 6in

Year Completed: April 1, 2022

Installation Notes: Hang on nail.

Artist Notes: Referencing the African spirituality around hair, I encased objects I deemed “Sacred” from my life. Sanctifying it with my hair, these objects are a symbolic gesture of containing aspects of me that I am most appreciative of. Within this vessel are objects that are part of me feeling free and autonomous. The PreP pills refer to my sexual freedom and freedom to connect with others in how we consent. The leather cuff and cock ring also are connected to the freedom I found in my sexual adventures. Having my autonomy as a sexually active adult played a critical role in repairing my self- esteem as well as my confidence in general. For that, and for me to build myself worth on my terms is why those objects are sacred.

Title: “Sacred Objects: Friendships”

Medium: Found Objects, Human Hair

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 8in x 10in x 6in

Year Completed: April 1, 2022

Installation Notes: Hang on nail.

Artist Notes: Referencing the African spirituality around hair, I encased objects I deemed “Sacred” from my life. Sanctifying it with my hair, these objects are a symbolic gesture of containing aspects of me that I am most appreciative of. The objects in this vessel came from a week long workshop with a group of strangers that later became friends. Several of which I stay connected with to this day. I find friendships and relationships to be key in keeping what compassion, empathy, and care for people’s integrity I have left.

Title: “Sacred Objects: Determination”

Medium: Found Objects, Human Hair

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 8in x 10in x 6in

Year Completed: April 1, 2022

Installation Notes: Hang on nail.

Artist Notes: Referencing the African spirituality around hair, I encased objects I deemed “Sacred” from my life. Sanctifying it with my hair, these objects are a symbolic gesture of containing aspects of me that I am most appreciative of. In this vessel, the blue ant statue resembles my determination to incorporate the Arts in my life and career. Aside from facing regular challenges of starting a career, having one in the Arts had been super discouraging at times. At one point, I lost faith in myself as a n artist to make any artwork that was significant at all. Regardless, I still made art an worked with artists. This determination to fulfill my promise to my 8 year-old self manifested through this object. For that, The statue, the oldest art I have made that still exists, is considered a sacred object to me.

Title: “Paper Halo #2: 2010-2014”

Medium: Paper Memorabilia, Paper Mache, Found Objects

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 60in x 60in x 1in

Year Completed: April 1, 2022

Installation Notes: Each halo has fishing wire and twine to hang and stabilize it while being suspended from the ceiling.

Artist Notes: The Paper Halo series is a collection of four larch paper mache sculptures structured as a mandala like circle with memories from events, workshops, classes, hangouts, and other moments within a given tie span. Each Halo is a vortex of memories and remnants of what I was thinking, what did I see in myself, while reflecting on what all this says about me as a person. Originally, it was a way to honor all the paper materials I had and to build a device that helped me reflect on myself and others.

Title: “Paper Halo #1: 1991-2009”

Medium: Paper Memorabilia, Paper Mache, Found Objects

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 60in x 60in x 1in

Year Completed: April 1, 2022

Installation Notes: Each halo has fishing wire and twine to hang and stabilize it while being suspended from the ceiling.

Artist Notes: The Paper Halo series is a collection of four larch paper mache sculptures structured as a mandala like circle with memories from events, workshops, classes, hangouts, and other moments within a given tie span. Each Halo is a vortex of memories and remnants of what I was thinking, what did I see in myself, while reflecting on what all this says about me as a person. Originally, it was a way to honor all the paper materials I had and to build a device that helped me reflect on myself and others.

Title: “Paper Halo #3: 2015-2018”

Medium: Paper Memorabilia, Paper Mache, Found Objects

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 60in x 60in x 1in

Year Completed: April 1, 2022

Installation Notes: Each halo has fishing wire and twine to hang and stabilize it while being suspended from the ceiling.

Artist Notes: The Paper Halo series is a collection of four larch paper mache sculptures structured as a mandala like circle with memories from events, workshops, classes, hangouts, and other moments within a given tie span. Each Halo is a vortex of memories and remnants of what I was thinking, what did I see in myself, while reflecting on what all this says about me as a person. Originally, it was a way to honor all the paper materials I had and to build a device that helped me reflect on myself and others.

Title: “Paper Halo #4: 2019-Present”

Medium: Paper Memorabilia, Paper Mache, Found Objects

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 60in x 60in x 1in

Year Completed: April 1, 2022

Installation Notes: Each halo has fishing wire and twine to hang and stabilize it while being suspended from the ceiling.

Artist Notes: The Paper Halo series is a collection of four larch paper mache sculptures structured as a mandala like circle with memories from events, workshops, classes, hangouts, and other moments within a given tie span. Each Halo is a vortex of memories and remnants of what I was thinking, what did I see in myself, while reflecting on what all this says about me as a person. Originally, it was a way to honor all the paper materials I had and to build a device that helped me reflect on myself and others.

Title: “The Temple of Memory: Rishi”

Medium: Paper Mache, Graphite, Acrylic, Paper-Based Memorabilia

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 30in x 40in x 3in

Year Completed: April 1, 2022

Installation Notes: Hang on a nail.

Artist Notes: This portrait is one of three that are focused on a part of my psyche. This one is dedicated to my Id, which I manifested as this fictional spirit named Rishi. Rishi is associated with my Aries Moon, my instincts, and my base desires and impulses. Much of my desire for wonder, adventure, and joy came from the art I made like the comics that are part of the paper mache, or the pieces of artifacts from Italy or other places I visited from An innate value this spirit represents is my belief in equivalent exchange: Violence for Violence and Kindness for Kindness.

Title: “The Temple of Reconciliation: Elbella”

Medium: Paper Mache, Graphite, Acrylic, Paper-Based Memorabilia

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 30in x 40in x 3in

Year Completed: April 1, 2022

Installation Notes: Hang on nail.

Artist Notes: This portrait is one of three that are focused on a part of my psyche. This one is dedicated to my Super Ego, which I manifested as this fictional spirit named Elbella. Elbella is associated with my drive for excellence, my desire to be “good” in all I do, and my sense of duty and responsibility. Glued as part of the paper mache along the canvas are document and paper materials of past achievements, or organizations I dedicated so much of myself to. In short, Elbella is my Virgo Rising. This part of my soul regularly pressures me to always make sure I am at my best or giving my best, lest I stop being deserving of grace. An innate value this spirit represents is Excellence: the be the best self in order to deserve the best of everyone and everything else.

Title: “The Temple of Healing: Ochoro”

Medium: Paper Mache, Graphite, Acrylic, Paper-Based Memorabilia

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 30in x 40in x 3in

Year Completed: April 1, 2022

Installation Notes: Hang on nail.

Artist Notes: This portrait is one of three that are focused on a part of my psyche. This one is dedicated to my Ego, which I manifested as this fictional spirit named Ochoro. Ocho, for short, Resembles the very core of my sense of self: Compassion. I believe the root of my values, character, and attributes are in service to this emotion and to the highest value I have: Caring for people’s integrity no matter who you are. Surrounding the edges are artifacts from people and moments that my heart has been tied to. Of all things, People are the main ingredient to my joy, my pain, my convictions, and to my healing.

Title: “Shrine of Adventure”

Medium: Found Objects, Wire Hangers, Necklaces

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 4ft x 18in x 18in

Year Completed: April 1, 2022

Installation Notes: The Fishing wire at the top is adjustable. It is for hanging the work directly from the ceiling. At the end of the wire, should be a ring to clip to extensions if the wire is not long enough. The hat part should be about 6ft from the ground.

Artist Notes: The Shrine is dedicated to the adventures and stories that come from relationships. Oftentimes, I attract attention by simply existing in the expressions I like. The hat is Shepard’s hat from the Congo area and was often worn by me in the summers and hot weather to keep from the sun. Even when I wanted my own space, folks would want to come to me and ask about the hat. Despite the annoyance, it was nice to start a conversation that led to friendships I appreciate to this day.

Title: “Shrine of Impressions”

Medium: (Installation) Found Objects, Impactful Memories, Personal Scars, Tenacious Dreams

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 8ft x 4ft x 8ft

Year Completed: April 1, 2022

Installation Notes: A chair should be facing the shrine with the bookbag by it. The notebooks in the bag should be either in the bag or on the chair for people to notice and encouraged to write in. The shrine is not really to be touch unless if the participant has a memento or artifact to contribute to the Shrine.

Artist Notes: This shrine, within the temple of memory, is dedicated to first impressions. The artifacts are impressions that influenced me in some shape or form in my life growing up. The James K. Polk book is where I did my Eagle Scout project and I later found out of his involvement in the western expansion, thus feeling conflicted doing a “good thing” for someone you have an issue with. The dream catcher was a gift from Mom that consoled me as I suffered from frequent night terrors. The Winged Gundam action figure was my favorite toy from Dad, who insisted I get that one because the action figure I really wanted, Death Scythe, looked too demonic. I grew to love the winged Gundam and played with it in a “guardian angel” role in most of my imagination.

Title: “Shrine of Community”

Medium: Wooden Cubbies, Glue Gun Glue, Mementos of people in the Greensboro Community

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 30in x 30in x20in

Year Completed: April 2022

Installation Notes: Permanently installed at the Penn-Griffin School of the Arts

Artist Notes: The shrine is an opportunity for members of the community to participate in this process of turning artifacts into living stories. Folks came together and interacted with the wooden cubbies while also leaving a memento of their own.

Title: “Temple of Reconciliation“

Medium: Mannequin, Found Objects, Sentimental Cars, Clothes, Atonement

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 6ft x 2ft x 1ft

Year Completed: April 1, 2022

Installation Notes

Artist Notes: Originally, paper mache statues, were replaced by a mannequin for better structure but still carry the memories and spirit of the memorabilia that was used to make this sculpture. The temple is a reference to the narrative of Christ after he prophesized being able to resurrect a temple in three days once the people tore it own. He meant his own body, and I take that reference and do something similar. Each “temple” is dedicated to a major theme that matters to my narrative.

The theme of reconciliation rings prominent in the piece as LGBT Elements cover the scouting Uniform, a symbol of the ideals of scouting, which has been poisoned by homophobia (reflected in its policies) for decades. The striking of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was a step towards reconciling the homophobia that barred scouts from leadership when they aged out or from earning their Eagle rank for “morality” reasons. However, there is so much more work to be done.

Title: “Temple of Memory“

Medium: Mannequin, Found Objects, Sentimental Cars, Clothes, First Impressions

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 6ft x 2ft x 1ft

Year Completed: April 1, 2022

Installation Notes

Artist Notes: Originally, paper mache statues, were replaced by a mannequin for better structure but still carry the memories and spirit of the memorabilia that was used to make this sculpture. The temple is a reference to the narrative of Christ after he prophesized being able to resurrect a temple in three days once the people tore it own. He meant his own body, and I take that reference and do something similar. Each “temple” is dedicated to a major theme that matters to my narrative.

The theme of “memory” is what this sculpture resembles and is about what we take away from our experience. A prominent takeaway I had growing up was this concern about appearance.

Title: “Temple of Healing“

Medium: Mannequin, Found Objects, Sentimental Cars, Clothes, Liberation

Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 6ft x 2ft x 1ft

Year Completed: April 1, 2022

Installation Notes

Artist Notes: Originally, paper mache statues, were replaced by a mannequin for better structure but still carry the memories and spirit of the memorabilia that was used to make this sculpture. The temple references the narrative of Christ after he prophesized being able to resurrect a temple in three days once the people tore it own. He meant his own body, and I take that reference and do something similar. Each “temple” is dedicated to a major theme that matters to my narrative.

The theme of healing resonates with me as I feel called to heal others with my work as an artist. I also wish I had the same warmth, kindness, and healing that I aim to give to others to the best of my abilities. Intend to love and show compassion in ways that I do not believe I received and think I am doing something meaningful.

One of seven meditations and reflections on the risk we take for human connection. In this case, this was a meditation on the risk of HIV whin it began wreaking havoc on countless communities of different backgrounds. Each piece represents a take away from said meditations and reflections when making this work from found objects dipped in acrylic paint and ink.

This piece comes from the fear that can come after an encounter. In my past encounters, there were some times when I was unsure if I was fully protected. Even after doing all the safety precautions, your changes of infections are never really eliminated. Either you walk with the faith that things are ok or with fear that something can still technically happen. I also think about the anxiety that can be there when waiting for your STI test. There is nothing to fear but it can still be scary to find out you have something, but it is scarier and more dangerous to not know and to encounter people who do not know theirs either out of the same fear.

One of seven meditations and reflections on the risk we take for human connection. In this case, this was a meditation on the risk of HIV whin it began wreaking havoc on countless communities of different backgrounds. Each piece represents a take away from said meditations and reflections when making this work from found objects dipped in acrylic paint and ink.

This piece had an overall message I thought was positive and worth sharing in the "Postcards from the Edge" fundraiser that Visual AIDS hosts every year. When I made this series, this piece was entered in their 2018 exhibition. To me, it felt like a message to put out there because The take away I got was "no matter how you got infected or came to whatever situation you are in now, this condition and this situation does NOT define you. With HIV, and most infections in general, there is an unsaid, or sometimes loudly said, stigma judging the character of a person or defining a person. You are not and should not be defined by your status, your choices, nor your situations, and DEFINITLY not by others judgments. You are defined by what you consent to being identified as.

One of seven meditations and reflections on the risk we take for human connection. In this case, this was a meditation on the risk of HIV whin it began wreaking havoc on countless communities of different backgrounds. Each piece represents a take away from said meditations and reflections when making this work from found objects dipped in acrylic paint and ink.

This piece centered around the judgements made on people who are infected. I recall earlier arguments about HIV being "the gay disease" (paired with homophobia) as a reason to do nothing to address the growing pandemic that was happening. The infection seemed branded as something that happened only to gay people, and particularly gay men, which overlooked several other demographics who were impacted and still impacted today. To this day, the medical and healthcare industry is still exploring ways to be more careful around the languages we use regarding infections, having recognize biases that can be embedded in them that may influence public behavior which can ffect public health.

One of seven meditations and reflections on the risk we take for human connection. In this case, this was a meditation on the risk of HIV whin it began wreaking havoc on countless communities of different backgrounds. Each piece represents a take away from said meditations and reflections when making this work from found objects dipped in acrylic paint and ink.

This piece was made while I was thinking about "what can be done to address this major issue?" I thought about solutions such as mandated vaccines or policies that made it easier and more affordable to access these precaution resources, and how to change the way the culture views these infections and those impacted by them. A single coherent thought came from this: "Start at home". Ironically, I was listening to the song "Growing Up" from Macklemore which said in its verses about focusing on the things you love and work on local change every day and somehow that will ripple out into the world. This was also around the time I was considering doing an exhibition platforming Trans voices as a response to the 45th President's Executive Order to dismiss Trans soldiers from duty and banning Transgender civilians from enrolling into military service. I did not want to do nothing and watch as the world goes haywire around me. Even if it is something small like standing up for someone or building relationships, or putting on an exhibition, if it can make a difference, than I think it is worth it.

One of seven meditations and reflections on the risk we take for human connection. In this case, this was a meditation on the risk of HIV whin it began wreaking havoc on countless communities of different backgrounds. Each piece represents a take away from said meditations and reflections when making this work from found objects dipped in acrylic paint and ink.

Little details, when overlooked, can result in major impacts and problems later. I think about the scenarios where a condom breaks, a birth control is neutralized, when PreP doesn't work for some reason or that you forgot to take it. Even the most careful people, if they slip for one moment, could risk getting infected. Recently, I had caught something and though I was careful and did all the safety precautions, I still got infected with something. Thankfully it was curable but I remember having to track everything trying to figure out where was the "slip-up". A major take away I had with this was that there is always a probability and sometimes things happen even when the probability is as low as possible.

One of seven meditations and reflections on the risk we take for human connection. In this case, this was a meditation on the risk of HIV whin it began wreaking havoc on countless communities of different backgrounds. Each piece represents a take away from said meditations and reflections when making this work from found objects dipped in acrylic paint and ink.

This reflection was specifically on the emotional toll of HIV and STIs in general. I considered the actions of a person to get tested often, wear a condom, take PreP, share their status, take treatments, or just be concerned of your well-being to be not only considerate but sexy and I try to do the same in my sexual encounters. Yes we are here for a good time but we are also people who are tied to whole communities and how we treat each other, even in just sex, should be with compassion and respect to our shared humanity.

One of seven meditations and reflections on the risk we take for human connection. In this case, this was a meditation on the risk of HIV whin it began wreaking havoc on countless communities of different backgrounds. Each piece represents a take away from said meditations and reflections when making this work from found objects dipped in acrylic paint and ink.

This meditation specifically centers on the idea of taking action and personal responsibility. There are several arguments for and against sexual encounters, using contraception, using condoms, and using prep. I reflected on the factors that weigh into my decision on the matter and the decisions others come to. Regardless of your reasons, either to do or do not. Either you take the safety precautions or not; either you take the risk or not; either you participate or not. Regardless, no one is allowed to judge... but instead decide what will THEY do and own that decision. It is never the consequence that bothers me, but the actions and factors that affect the probability of said consequences happening.