Strange Leaves
2023
We are each a garden,
constantly replanted.
Stretching strange leaves
towards the sky, rooted
in the same old dirt.
Strange Leaves incorporates cyanotype pieces which explore my difficult transition out of the faith traditions in which I was raised. After almost fifteen years of hiding from my heritage, I have begun to understand that in addition to painful memories, the culture from which I came gave me many beautiful ones as well. Expressing these twin truths has become a vital part of my creative practice. I piece together images, poetic prose, and disparate materials to create pieces that allow me to look honestly at the pain I carry and to keep close the parts of myself and my culture I can’t bear to lose.