Head Space

welded steel, house paint

2020

Currently on view at Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa, California

Fire Season. Two words I never in my life thought I would have to use to reference to a time of year in California.

In 2017, Santa Rosa faced a fire one of the most devastating fires in its history; one that we never thought possible. Paradise Ridge Winery were a part of the unlucky many who lost everything in the fire that year. As the last few years have passed, there have been almost a countless growing numbers of fires throughout the state and this year, 2020, had been record breaking with the acreage and structure

During the 2017 fires, my home came within a couple blocks. And with our house standing against whatever odds, no electricity and gas but water still running, my partner and I decided to stay illegally in our home in a mandatory evacuation zone, once we knew it was safe. We housed a number of our friends, their children and animals who lost everything in the night without notice. We created a safe place for them to rest, cry, laugh and not think about the world for a time.

For this exhibition, Rebuilding, I wanted to create this implied, psychological safe space. A sort of cerebral, mess network, cocoon-like structure that encompasses, surrounds and holds a person for a short period of time.