Portfolio

Every image in this collection falls into one of these categories for me.

It is an ongoing collection and other themes are emerging as time goes by, but until then I am leaning into process for connective tissue. These objects are often ordinary and not particularly lovely, so I have created a whimsical world of color, brush stroke, stitches, and paper cutouts to help you see them in a new way. Enjoy!

cu·ri·os·i·ty  
(kyo͝or′ē-ŏs′ĭ-tē)

n. pl. cu·ri·os·i·ties

I am curious about how Americans assign value to the work of the hand and why this work is frequently undervalued. Why do we value the surgeon more than the garbage man? Both do essential work.  Both work with their hands.  Would this work be valued more if the person doing it could be seen or known?  How would perceptions and/or values shift if we purposefully looked for the person within the work?

To illustrate the true value of the hand, I collected and printed silver gelatine images using paper negatives that focus simply on hands at work.

The collection focuses on the people who prepare our food, remove our trash, fix our cars, nurture our lives, care for our children, create beauty and attend to our wellness, to name just a few.  I am daring us to see the people working to make daily living possible, pointing to the human quality in the work.  Connecting to the people at work in our lives, regardless of location or acquaintance, may increase our understanding and tolerance; perhaps shifting perceptions and the value of the work and the worker.