Art, objects, and memories

Abstract

As humans, there are millions of factors that shape our identities. From culture, geographic location, and family life, to education, career path, and sexuality, every aspect of our lives make us who we are. For me, the work I make as an artist and a student is a result of my identity. I am a straight, half Japanese, half American, cisgendered woman, raised in the same small town for most of my life. My parents were married for over 25 years until they separated the summer before my senior year of high school. I am the third generation of my family to be living in the same childhood home. I was raised to appreciate nature, history, and to be more giving than those who gave to me. I attend a liberal college where I majored in art but took classes in history, philosophy, music, film, language, and culture. All of these things have affected my perspective of others, the world around me, and how my work fits into it. As a society that prides themselves on the things that they own and possess, what do the objects I create add? This exhibition highlights my life and how the objects I create are influenced by other objects, my identity and experiences.