Inspired by the nostalgia of cherished childhood boardgames, my artwork invites viewers to make connections between late-stage capitalism and environmental degradation. For the sake of a sustainable future for life on Earth, it is crucial to recognize the ramifications of our industrial systems and step into a role of accountability. Through print and sculpture, I challenge observers to consider their relationship with the environment and their role in its preservation.

A major goal of my artistic practice is to raise awareness about environmental crises, especially those caused by selfish political motivations and corrupt governance structures. My work explores the tragedy of the commons and presents the idea that not only are our resources finite, they are shared. In a board game, players agree upon defined rules and a shared activity, but each player is looking out for their own interests in an attempt to win the game. In real life, even though the problems of resource use are collective, the outcome is dependent on the choices and actions of disparate individuals.

My artworks draw inspiration from beloved games and playful activities, to invite viewers to ruminate on these complex issues with a fresh perspective. In a recent print entitled “Guess Who Doesn’t: Keep Promises,” I reinterpreted the boardgame ‘Guess Who?’ to discuss the empty promises made by the Biden administration with the passage of the Willow Project, which is a massive and decades-long oil drilling venture in Alaska within the National Petroleum Reserve. Biden promised to halt oil drilling leases but has since only gone back on this promise. For this print, I replaced the original drawings from the game with political cartoons depicting the thirty-six members of the President’s cabinet and created a blue version and a red version of the print to represent the irrelevance of distinguishing political parties in a failing system.

The foundation of my artwork lies within rigorous research. I initiate my creative process by capturing photographs, recording sounds, and writing in natural settings, while examining historical, societal, and ecological contexts. For instance, before creating my sculpture “America’s Dying Sea,” I ventured to Salt Lake City and collected sediment from the Great Salt Lake. My first-hand experience of the rapidly shrinking lake informed the creation of six clear dominoes that I encapsulated this toxic sediment, each piece denoting one of the lake’s remaining years before it evaporates completely. In crafting works that highlight these pressing concerns while honoring my unwavering sense of duty, I source materials directly from nature or use reclaimed items found during my explorations. Simultaneously, I incorporate synthetic elements as an understated commentary on human civilization and its enduring presence.

Ultimately, my work reflects what I am most passionate about: environmental justice and liberation from conflicting and oppressive systems. My use of games and play makes this body of work all the more personal to me, and I hope that the viewer will gain an understanding of the importance of accountability.