The Veins of Time

2024

My artistic practice delves into the intersection of history, politics, and present-day conflicts. I explore both past events and current global challenges by utilizing gauze bandages as my primary medium in mixed media installations. The bandages symbolize historical wounds and ongoing suffering, with their tactile nature evoking the fragility of human experience and the transient nature of memory and pain. They also serve as tangible evidence of the scars left by these conflicts. Black bandages evoke themes of tyranny, mourning, and obscured truths within the darker chapters of history, while red bandages symbolize the violence, wounds, and bloodshed persisting around the world. Together they represent the grievous injuries inflicted by war, discrimination, and injustices ever present in historical and contemporary contexts.

The incorporation of needles and imagery of sutures provide aspects of contemplation and healing. They emphasize the urgent need for collective action to address injustices. Mirrors and dog tags also feature prominently in my artwork, serving as symbols of self-reflection, identity, and personal accountability within the broader context of history. Dog tags, commonly associated with soldiers, take on a broader meaning in today’s world by representing the preservation of identity for all individuals.

My work challenges viewers to confront their roles in shaping the outcome of politically charged and often devastating and catastrophic events. By addressing uncomfortable truths and advocating for social change, my work contributes to the healing of these injuries by inspiring active engagement and solidarity among global citizens. It illuminates historical wounds and fosters and empathy that cannot be confined by political and geographic borders and asks viewers to consider whether their actions – or inactions – will stand on the right side of history.