As an immigrant to Canada myself, I mainly draw inspiration from the diverse backgrounds and stories of early Western Canadian settlers during the late 1800s and early 1900s, incorporating historical artifacts like 200 year old letters, antique checks and receipts, and other remnants of the distant past into my artworx. I find these elements in flea markets. Almost destined to total oblivion, these pieces, each filled with personal stories and intimate narratives, are brought back to life to create compositions that are contrasted with bold materials and contemporary abstract shapes that reflect modern aesthetics.
I almost titled this series Tribute to 3 Roberts. Inspired by the collages of Robert Rauschenberg, the apparently random brushstrokes of Robert Motherwell, and the white surfaces of Robert Ryman, I also pay tribute to personal heroes of mine, masters from the past, procuring to respectfully and humbly continue their legacy today.
By blending the old and the new, I aim to merge different time periods, creating a seamless conversation between the past, the present, and the possibilities of the future. Through this fusion, I invite you to reflect on how historical experiences shape the present moment, while also offering a glimpse into a hereafter when the artificial boundaries between time and cultures begin to dissolve.
