born 1980, Washington D.C. lives and works in Los Angeles, CA

education
2006 MFA, University of California, Los Angeles
2002 BA, University of California, Irvine

group exhibitions
2006 Art Gallery at the California State University, Long Beach, Greater LA MFA
2006 Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery/Barnsdall Art Park, SUPER/SONIC
2006 The New Wight Gallery at the University of California, Los Angeles, MFA # 4 Thesis Show
2004 Irvine Fine Arts Center, All Media Show, Curated by Carl Berg
2002 Art Gallery at the University of California, Irvine, Juste Mon Genie
2002 Art Gallery at the University of California, Irvine, Okay I’ll Stop Now.

publications
2006 Catalogue for SUPER/SONIC at the LA Municipal Gallery/Barnsdall Art Park

curatorial experience
2005 The New Wight Gallery at the University of California, Los Angeles, Southern Exposure

selected works.

From Camo. Tactics (It smells like blood.) series, 20x24 inches, C-Print, 2006.

In my work I approach photography, more specifically portraiture through a mix of sculptural and performative terms. I tweak the subjects in my portraits through the use of disguise and veiling. In doing so, I hope to reveal unique facets of identity and culture, while pushing photography’s evidentiary function.
The series, Camo. Tactics (It smells like blood.) came from my desire to veil the body from head to toe. I wanted to (as the title suggests) use military tactics of camouflage to create a phantasmagorical scene. The character that arose from the different elements that make up the camouflaging effect is at once absurd and daunting, much like the way many of our current political events are portrayed by the news/media, and received by the American public. The sculptural piece called, The Beholding Eye, is a direct reference to the news/media, and happened out of my pure frustration and need to physically black out the news except for one image that blaringly stands out. My aim with this series is to create a disorienting experience for the viewer. To make a space that confuses the viewers’ senses and intellect, while provoking him or her to question what is going on? The character in the photographs also slips in and out of power. Is the character in the photographs the terrorizer or the one being terrorized? The color red used in the series is bold and alarming; in a way these photographs are like alarms sounding loudly. They are blinking, and blinding red lights. They are screaming, “Look at me,” but not just look; contemplate, and question.