There is a distinct harmony between life and death. Both are connected with light, although death is more commonly associated with darkness. My sculptures portray the idea that death is ever-present in life and life is also ever-present in death. Life can be found in death by drawing inspiration and strength from one’s ancestors. Death is one of the deepest fears of humanity, yet the thought of it can drive people to do incredible things in life, creating a mesmerizing balance between the two.

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        Through the use of light in my sculptures, there is a connection between every piece, despite how different each seems at first. The light interacts with the environment around the sculptures to reveal how their surroundings can expand. The lights around the Tree of Life (8) make it appear larger than it is. Every stage of life is unique, yet all are intertwined. Each piece represents a different stage of life. I use abstract shapes to emphasize that each stage is different for everyone and that they can shape you in unexpected ways. This concept is seen in Wisdom (11), which shows how people continue to build their character from the foundation created by knowledge. Although the structure is entangled in the many different things, they help support the foundation rather than weaken it. The use of mirrors in my work demonstrates one finding strength in their ancestors by recognizing themselves as a reflection of those who came before them. The mirrors are broken to emphasize that while a mirror may provide an identical representation of oneself, you should not try to be an exact replica of someone else. Pregnancy (1) exemplifies this because the mirrors in the mother’s hands show her drawing strength from her maternal ancestry to pass on to her child. This concentration has taught me how to give abstract thought a physical form.

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