Statement

Looking at history through the lens of labor—its struggles, migrations, oppression, revolutions, and violence—it becomes clear that work itself has long been a site of resistance. The rights many workers have today were hard-won through the efforts and sacrifices of historically marginalized and working-class communities. As we witness renewed fights for fair wages, benefits, reasonable hours, and time off, we are reminded that these struggles are not confined to the past—they continue to resurface today.

My work engages with this ongoing cycle. By examining historical sites of strikes, industrial disasters, and labor movements in their current state, I reflect on how both the physical landscape and the conditions surrounding labor have shifted over time—often revealing not progress, but erosion and neglect. These places become quiet markers of histories that risk being forgotten.

Across the American landscape, traces of labor history are steadily disappearing. I am drawn to these overlooked sites and objects—abandoned structures, industrial remnants, and the material evidence of human effort and ingenuity. Through printmaking, I create layered, textured works that explore the tension between what has been built and what endures. By contrasting decaying industrial forms with natural elements, I highlight the relationship between the artificial and the organic, suggesting that even in abandonment, we remain deeply connected to the world around us.

In particular, sites like mines serve not only as records of labor on the land, but also as broader metaphors for the exploitation of workers and their communities—systems that often prioritize profit over people and environment.

Through this work, I aim to raise awareness of the lasting impact of human industry and to encourage reflection on our collective responsibility. By bringing attention to these forgotten places, I hope to foster dialogue around preservation, memory, and the need for more thoughtful stewardship of both our histories and our landscapes.