These photographs are creations for the University of Louisville Bachelor of Fine Arts review that took place on April 1st, 2022, and for the BFA exhibition in the fall of 2022. This piece has won the 2022 Bill Fisher Award.
Artist Statement
The images are still life and tableau creations that convey lifelong implications left on me from my family’s dynamic as a child. This tumultuous experience led me to Wicca which subsequently sent me on a path of healing and self-improvement. These photos show the importance of lessons old and new: That death is a catalyst for growth; That liberation from past trauma conveys both joy and grief; and, ultimately, that finding balance between my past, present, and future is the greatest source of healing. This is presented in my works with the use of symbolism through the Tarot, and the recreation of Wiccan deities.
These images were photographed with the intention of sharing a part of myself as I went through the process of discovering Wicca and growing with it. The still lifes are first and foremost a glimpse into how I practice Wicca in my life, as the images show my rituals and practices using materials and precious items from my home altar. The reflections of these lessons are constructed through materials laden with symbolism such as sigils, books, food and drink, insects, Tarot cards, and representations of Christianity. By integrating ritual items, I intend to show that each aspect of life is integral to the next. My goal is to have viewers leave with the willingness to challenge their way of thought about spirituality and to introduce them to a different way of approaching the ideas of death, life, liberation, and balance.
