The Rose That Grew from Concrete (2024)
Inspired by Tupac Shakur’s poem “The Rose That Grew from Concrete”—a favorite of my mom’s—this sculpture reflects my personal journey of resilience through adversity. Created from sharp, rigid metal and spray-painted red and green, the rose was shaped using heavy-duty tools like a plasma cutter and die grinder to emulate the delicate curves of a flower. It’s planted in concrete to symbolize growth in an environment not built to nurture.
This piece speaks to the unseen labor of becoming the “ideal” woman in mainstream media—soft in appearance, but forged through struggle. Beneath the polished exterior lies the weight of sexism, racism, and societal expectations. Still, like the rose, we bloom.
Daily Dose for the 21st Century
Sculpture (Wax Sculpting, Aluminum Casting, Patina), 2024)
Just as we take daily vitamins to support physical health, social media has become a modern-day supplement—something many of us feel we need to regulate our mental state. Daily Dose for the 21st Century explores this parallel, using pill capsules and social media icons cast in aluminum to symbolize the addictive integration of technology into our lives.
The capsules serve as a metaphor for the habitual, almost medicinal way we consume digital content. Personally, I noticed my own pattern of reaching for my phone immediately upon waking—before even getting out of bed. Over time, this repeated behavior began to feel less like a habit and more like a dependency.
When taken in moderation, social media can inform, inspire, and connect. But when overconsumed, it becomes a synthetic substitute for presence, purpose, and authenticity—dulling our engagement with the world around us.
This piece invites viewers to reflect on their own digital intake and question: at what point does connection become consumption?
Don't Water The Weeds (2024)
Don’t Water the Weeds, November 18th, 2024, is a 4ft x 7ft mixed-media installation combining woodworking, clay sculpting, painting, and digital projection mapping. The piece features childlike figures with heads replaced by flower pots, symbolizing our influence on future generations. We are the pitchers, they are the pots—everything we pass down, like racism, abuse, and sexism, takes root in young minds and becomes ingrained in society. The installation juxtaposes videos of child abuse and school shootings on the left, and on the right, videos of affection, love, and camaraderie. This contrast highlights how parenting shapes a child’s capacity for love or hate. Research on school shooters reveals many endured abuse or violence. By fostering love and respect, we can cultivate a healthier future. Let’s uproot negativity and nurture positive ideologies to help society thrive.