-2023

The theme Proof of Existence represents what art means to me. Human existence, and art, in many ways act as a big “I’m here, I was here, I'm alive!” We walk through life with a can of spray paint and mark the walls of our lives, we all do what we can to be remembered and to be seen authentically. The unapologetic human nature lets people's presence leave a mark on their surroundings, when you look close enough, you can see people's footprints. I have noticed over time that I am drawn to capturing people's marks. This theme features people's marks on the world, consciously skating around Beethoven, or unconsciously leaving a t-shirt at the beach. I also featured work surrounding the theme of queer youth existence, a shoot I had with the intention of highlighting queer identity, showcasing and representing an underrepresented community. Baptism showcases the existence of a girl with both queer and religious identity. Smashing the Apple features a girl dressed in hyper-masculine and feminine apparel representing what the act of being openly queer is, not taking a bite of forbidden fruit, but smashing the apple. I aim to create art that shares people's stories, and through this theme, I feel as though I am able to do so in the purest of senses. My photography, too, acts as my footprint, as I try to look deeply to showcase humanity, and what we do to be remembered.