V E R D U R O U S

Artist Statement

V E R D U R O U S centers on the cyclical nature of life and death, particularly the liminal space between them—a space often not understood but profoundly felt. I explore this "in-between" phase, where fear and acceptance coexist within the unknown, through both a personal and universal lens.

This collection connects to my loved ones, framed within contemporary experiences and cultural narratives, specifically Scandinavian folklore. In confronting the tension of mortality, our fragility, and the inevitability of decay, I envision sparking contemplation and how we will always be a part of the natural cycle. 

I use materials that carry personal significance or evoke narratives tied to life, death, and transformation. Some materials come from loved ones who are still living, while others hold memories of past phases of life. Electrical wiring from my father's collection, wood from outside of my childhood home, installation foam mimicking textures of decay, and tie wraps that bind and reinforce, each material serves as a metaphor for the interplay of life, death, and preservation. Found objects like canvases gifted by mentors, mirrors, and hardware honor both living relationships and spaces left behind, bridging personal history with broader cultural reflections.

By blending industrial materials with natural elements and other art mediums, I aim to make the abstract concepts of mortality tangible and palpable. Objects act as a symbolic and emotional extension of the stories I convey—personal connections that bridge the gap between the viewer and the unsettling reality of death. 

In acknowledging the life of these materials, their slow transformation, and their inevitable decay, I recognize that we, too, are part of this process. Decay is not just a return to the Earth; it is the continuation of existence in another form. Through my work, I explore how memory, body, and spirit participate in this cycle, blurring the line between preservation and disintegration. My personal stories are not static—they are living, fading, and changing with each moment, much like the materials I incorporate into my practice.