Working in photography has opened a process of seeping honesty and intimacy into my work in ways that I’ve previously eschewed or, at best, disguised. By using a lens to search for art in my life that is waiting to be captured and framed, I’ve begun sinking into my surroundings rather than projecting myself into the surreal environments that I look to create in my sculptural, printmaking, and virtual reality design work.
With the desire to recenter my body and emotions, I’ve entrusted photography to bridge the disconnect in my sense of place. I am photography my life in St. Louis—the public and private spaces that I revisit and engage with on a regular basis—to send to friends whom once provided me a sense of belonging I feel I am missing here. I’ve selected my recipients as those whom I miss sharing place with. In addition to the photographing, I am writing a letter to each person and sending them a personalized playlist. This collection of mail will act as an invitation for my friends to share my “here.” As for myself, claiming and dispersing these images of St. Louis is my attempted manifestation to feel that this is, at least at this moment, my place.