This piece is titled “Strands of Love”, it is inspired by Dakota Warren’s 2024 piece titled “To Love is to Take”. While her piece inspired me I think that the difference in the titles alone should make it obvious that we had different theses. Rather than taking the stance that I was ‘taking’ it felt more like I was trusted enough for my friends to willingly volunteer these materials.




Artist Statement: 

Everything I do comes down to love. My writing, my morals and the way I move through the world. It is my guiding force. We are living in uncertain times, people are angry, I know I am. We are in an era where connection and communication is the most accessible it has ever been and yet everyone I know is lonely. People are scared; scared of the future, scared of being ridiculed for being vulnerable and expressing their feelings. So they shut the world out as a way of self preservation. Our society is so focused on individualism that we have lost community. People are so worried about how they are perceived that they hide anything that makes them unique. I truly believe now more than ever we need to be standing together, no one can live in the current climate alone, not a life that’s fulfilling at least. Connection and community are what make us human. I really wanted this piece to be a visual representation of the love I have for my friends, I’m going to keep saying it. I would have rather loved and lost than not have loved at all. I will never be ashamed or embarrassed of my feelings. I would rather take a risk and fail than wonder about what could have been for the rest of my life. People so desperately crave intimate relationships whether that be platonic or romantic, but everyone is scared of doing something embarrassing. Be Embarrassing! That’s part of life, being vulnerable is the only way to create a meaningful connection with someone. One of you has to open up first, our emotions and our life experiences are what make us special. We aren’t machines, humans aren’t perfect and they make mistakes but I try to give grace. Celebrate the mistakes as well as the successes, it is how we learn to do better. No one knows what they’re doing, everyone is as lost and scared as you are so don’t be afraid to make the first move, start the movement and others will follow.