Artist Statement

My work depicts the similarities between synthetic marine debris and organic material found along the coast of New England, drawing attention to their formal resemblances which are further emphasized when coexisting in close proximity. Growing up within this region, I have become aware of how segments of society simultaneously notice and disregard manufactured objects in conjunction with the natural world. Moreover, recent generations of people have limited knowledge or memory of an environment without debris, and this omnipresence of varying byproducts of modernity have become ordinary to witness in natural spaces. These dynamic structures often emulate biomorphic forms found in the same spaces, and echo a simultaneous tension and kinship between the man-made and natural. Through a regional lens focused on fishing industry refuse, I create visual representations of these entangled objects. This research approaches the topic through a unique perspective by focusing on the objects’ shared aesthetics and synergy, as an attempt to transform the way we instinctively categorize and observe objects that are present in the everyday. By guiding the audience through an experience of conscious observation, I ask the viewer to shift preconceived notions that alter their understanding of these material relationships, and consider how they may or may not notice them within their daily lives.