This project began in March, 2025 with the overarching question: How does busywork function as a coping mechanism in times of crisis, grief, or uncertainty? As it is turning out, Busywork is a form of meditation, a way to feel grounded, productive, resilient; a means of asserting presence; a path of positive resistance.
Busywork— often dismissed as having little or no intrinsic value — can become an essential act of personal survival. Seemingly meaningless and repetitive tasks - shredding, sorting, rolling, arranging - become a meditation. These acts are a way to balance the body and mind when the political, cruel, and horrific events of this moment become overwhelming to me.
I volunteer, donate money, protest, go to therapy. None of these activities can calm the deep despair I experience daily from the horrors perpetuated by the regime in power. This work, my Busywork - its smallness, its persistence, its repetition, its order - reflects simple survival strategies for me. Each gesture, however small, demonstrates endurance: an accumulation of countless small acts that represent progress.
shredded New Yorker magazines and security envelopes over post-consumer armature, 9.5" x 9.5" x 1.5"D
shredded New Yorker magazines and security envelopes over post-consumer armature, 9.5" x 9.5" x 1.5"D
shredded New Yorker magazines and security envelopes over post-consumer armature, 9.5" x 9.5" x 1.5"D
The search for mental calmness, composure and evenness of temper has become an indispensable aspect of my life during turbulent political, pandemic and economic times. The goal of reaching equanimity brought me to begin a meditation practice during the pandemic. Meditation allows me to be in the moment, focusing on the breath and some key phrases.
Creating is also a meditation. My process of working allows me to be in the moment and connect to the materials I am working with.
Both meditation and creation are reflected in this work. My breath and mind exist in its waves. The security envelopes embody the arrival of documents relating to politics, non-profits' soliciations, some sad and scary information about the state of our world and of course, bills. Agents of anxiety. The New Yorker magazines are used to represent the joys and sorrows we are presented with in our culture. The materials in each work reflect notions that challenge my heart to remain at peace.
8" x 8" x 1.5"D, shredded New Yorker magazines and security envelopes over post consumer armature
9.5" x 9.5" x 1.5"D, shredded New Yorker magazines and security envelopes over post consumer armature, framed: 12” x 12” x 3” D, shadowbox
9.5" x 9.5" x 1.5"D, shredded New Yorker magazines and security envelopes over post consumer armature
4.5” x 4.5” x 1.5”D, shredded New Yorker magazines, security envelopes over post consumer armature, framed: 9” x 9” x 2”D
11.5” x 11.5” x 1”D, shredded New Yorker magazines and security envelopes over post consumer armature
12"x12"x 1.5"D, shredded New Yorker magazine images, security envelopes over up-cycled armature
6” x 6” x 1”D, shredded New Yorker magazines and security envelopes over post consumer armature
PRIVATE COLLECTION
6” x 6” x 1”D, shredded New Yorker magazines and security envelopes over post consumer armature
12"x12"x1.5"D, shredded New Yorker magazine images, security envelopes over up-cycled armature
10” x 10” x 1”D, shredded New Yorker magazines and security envelopes over post consumer armature
10” x 12” x 1”D, shredded New Yorker magazines and security envelopes over post consumer armature
10” x 10” x 1”D, shredded New Yorker magazines and security envelopes over post consumer armature
10” x 10” x 1”D, shredded New Yorker magazines and security envelopes over post consumer armature
PRIVATE COLLECTION
The surfaces of these works contain thousands of tiny components, each containing a fragment of information or imagery from mass marketing tools promoting the constructs of beauty, wealth and taste. In Search of Beauty physically dismantles and deconstructs these conventions, rearranging them as repeated elements in patterns. The work is inspired by plant forms, architectural details, and geometric applications of design, advancing my interpretation of beauty.
This project departs from my usual practice of shredding catalogs and mailings and sorting each shred by color, which allowed complete control over my palette. Each piece from In Search of Beauty uses a single catalog, allowing individual pieces to reference a particular product, business or service, creating a cultural association that replaces manufactured notions with a personal vision.
23” x 23” x 3”D, shredded MoMA Design Store catalogs, security envelopes, promotional mail, thread over armature
PRIVATE COLLECTION
18” round x 2”D, Shredded travel and leisure catalogs, security envelopes, thread over armature [pandemic piece]
6” x 6” x 2”D, shredded Patagonia catalog, security envelopes, promotional mail, thread over armature
6” x 6” x 2”D, shredded Kripalu catalogs, security envelopes, promotional mail, thread over armature
6” x 6” x 2”D, shredded Crate and Barrel catalogs, security envelopes, promotional mail, thread over armature
6” x 6” x 2”D, shredded Ethan Allen catalogs, security envelopes, promotional mail, thread over armature
6” x 6” x 2”D, shredded Company Store catalogs, security envelopes, promotional mail, thread over armature
6” x 6” x 2”D, shredded Kips Bay Designer Showcase catalog, security envelopes, promotional mail, thread over armature
6” x 6” x 2”D, shredded Katonah Museum catalog, security envelopes, promotional mail, thread over armature
6” x 6” x 2”D, shredded Departures catalog, security envelopes, promotional mail, thread over armature
6” x 6” x 2”D, shredded Bloomingdale’s catalogs, security envelopes, promotional mail, thread over armature
4’ x 4” x 2”D, Shredded travel and leisure catalogs, security envelopes, thread over armature mounted on cradled board [pandemic piece]
In A Field Guide to Getting Lost, Rebecca Solnit paraphrases the philosopher Walter Benjamin: “To be lost is to be fully present, and to be fully present is to be capable of being in uncertainty and mystery. One does not get lost but loses oneself with the implication that it is a conscious choice, a chosen surrender, a psychic state achievable through geography.”
This work explores issues of memory, creativity and the endeavor to be fully present using my explorations of geography. My use of - and subsequent reliance upon - navigation apps while moving through the urban landscape and its parks has robbed me of any sense of place and deprived me of the ability to just get lost, both in thought and on journeys. The desire to surrender to my surroundings, allow myself to meander, and notice my environment inspires me to walk the streets of NYC and wander through its parks disconnected from my smartphone. Linking my internal world to the external world allows for new narratives and the assimilation of details. The development of these practices has reawakened my ability to dream, wonder and observe in a visceral way.
The rejection of digital navigation is related to my practice of shredding mailings that promote manufactured lifestyles and demands for attention. Using this medium extends my pursuit of uncertainty through a meditative process that allows forms to emerge from the memories of my journeys.
Inspired by the notion of getting lost, I am compelled to develop a visual language around my emotional and inner response to the interactions with my chosen and rediscovered geographies.
dimensions variable
12” x 12” x 2”, shredded RH catalogs, security envelopes, thread, over armature, mounted on wood framed in a shadowbox with museum glass
12” x 12” x 2”, shredded RH catalogs, security envelopes, thread, over armature, mounted on wood framed in a shadowbox with museum glass
12” x 12” x 8”D, shredded RH catalogs, security envelopes, thread, over armature, mounted on wood
12” x 12” x 8”D, shredded RH catalogs, security envelopes, thread, over armature, mounted on wood
6” x 6” x 2”D, shredded RH catalogs, security envelopes, thread, over armature, mounted on wood
6” x 6” x 2”D, shredded RH catalogs, security envelopes, thread, over armature, mounted on wood
6” x 6” x 2”D, shredded RH catalogs, security envelopes, thread, over armature, mounted on wood
4” x 4” x 2”D each, shredded RH catalogs, security envelopes, thread, over armature, mounted on cradled wood board
6” x 6” x2”D, shredded RH catalogs, security envelopes, thread, over armature, mounted on wood
PRIVATE COLLECTION
The Building a Blue Wall project began after the 2016 election. For me, blue conveys dignity, intelligence, trust, strength, dependability, loyalty. It is also a spiritual color representing peace, serenity, tranquility. It is the color of oceans, inland waters and the sky.
Referencing the current political climate in the United States, Building a Blue Wall is a form of personal resistance and safety. Creating from shredded non-profit and political solicitations, health care statements as well as magazine articles highlighting issues to protect our freedoms - this work is a call to action in support of social justice, women's health, civil rights for all, science, advocacy and arts organizations.
12" x 12" x 8"D
10" x 10" x 3"D
12" x 12" x 4"D
8” x 8” x 5.5”D
10" x 10" x 3"D
6” x 6” x 3”D
PRIVATE COLLECTION
8"' x 8" x6"D
PRIVATE COLLECTION
6” x 6” x 3”D
PRIVATE COLLECTION
10” x 10” x 3.5”
PRIVATE COLLECTION
8” x 8” x 3”D
8" x 8" x 3"D
6" x 6" x 3"D
PRIVATE COLLECTION
8" x 8" x 2"D
8" x 8" x 2"D
6" x 6" x 2"D
6" x 6" x 2"D
PRIVATE COLLECTION
6" x 6" x 2"D
PRIVATE COLLECTION
6" x 6" x 2"D
2016, 12” x 12” x 9"d, shredded household mail over various armatures
PRIVATE COLLECTION
shredded household mail over gall pods mounted in shadowboxes
2016, 6” x 6” x 3"d, shredded household mail over gall pods mounted in a shadowbox
2016, 6” x 6” x 3"d, shredded household mail over gall pods mounted in a shadowbox
2016, 6” x 6” x 3"d, shredded household mail over gall pods mounted in a shadowbox
2016, 6” x 6” x 3"d, shredded household mail over gall pods mounted in a shadowbox
2016, 6” x 6” x 3"d, shredded household mail over gall pods mounted in a shadowbox
2016, 6” x 6” x 3"d, shredded household mail over armature mounted in a shadowbox
shredded household mail, thread over bark
PRIVATE COLLECTION
shredded household mail over birch
2015, 12” x 12” x 12”D, shredded household mail, thread over armature mounted on wood
2016, 12” x 12” x 12”D, shredded household mail, thread over armature mounted on wood
2016, 12” x 12” x 12”D, shredded household mail, thread over armature mounted on wood
2015, 7.5” x 7.5” x 6”d, shredded household mail, thread over armature mounted on wood
PRIVATE COLLECTION
2015, 6” x 6” x 5.5”d, shredded household mail, thread over armature mounted on cradled board
PRIVATE COLLECTION
2015, 6” x 6” x 5.5”d, shredded household mail, thread over armature mounted on cradled board
PRIVATE COLLECTION
2015, variable dimensions, shredded household mail over armature, all mounted on wood
2015, variable dimensions, shredded household mail over armature
2015, approx. 3" D, shredded household mail over armature
2015, approx. 3.5"D, shredded household mail over armature
2015, approx. 3" D, shredded household mail over armature
2015, approx. 3.5" D, shredded household mail over armature
2015, approx. 3" D, shredded household mail over armature
2015, approx. 3" D, shredded household mail over armature
2015, approx. 3" D, shredded household mail over armature
2015, approx. 3" D, shredded household mail over armature
Alternate installation
2015, 10” x 10” x 2”d, shredded household mail, thread over armature
PRIVATE COLLECTION
2015, 10” x 10” x 2”d, shredded household mail, thread over armature
PRIVATE COLLECTION
2015, 12” x 12” x 9”D, shredded household mail over armature, mounted on wood
2014-2015, 12” x 12” x 9”, shredded household mail, thread over armature, mounted on wood
PRIVATE COLLECTION
8" x 8" x 61/2", shredded household papers, thread over armature
PRIVATE COLLECTION
2014, 8" x 8" x 7", shredded household mail, thread over armature
2015, 6” x 6” x 5”D, shredded household mail over armature, mounted on cradled borad
2015, 8” x 8” x 7”, shredded household mail, thread over armature
2015, 8" x 8" x 5.5", shredded household mail, thread over armature
2015, 6” x 6” x 2”D, shredded household mail, thread over armature on cradled board
PRIVATE COLLECTION
2015, 10” x 10” x 2”D, shredded household mail over armature, mounted on paper
PRIVATE COLLECTION
6” x 6” x approx. 5” D, shredded household mail, thread over armature mounted on cradled board
2014, 6” x 6” x approx. 8” D, shredded household papers, thread over armature mounted on cradled board
6” x 6” x approx. 5” D, shredded household mail, thread over armature mounted on cradled board
PRIVATE COLLECTION
6” x 6” x approx. 5” D, shredded household mail, thread over armature mounted on cradled board
2014, 3’ H x varying widths and depths, shredded household papers, thread over armature
Totem 2: 5’6” H x varying widths and depths, shredded household papers, thread over armature
Totemette 2: 2014 [revised 2015], 2’ H x varying widths and depths, shredded household mail, thread over armature
detail, Totemette 2
2014, 12"H x varying widths and depths, shredded household papers, thread over 2 coffee cups
2014: 10" x 10" x 2", shredded household papers, thread on paper
PRIVATE COLLECTION
2013: 10" x 10" x 2", shredded household papers, thread on paper
PRIVATE COLLECTION
PRIVATE COLLECTION
2013: 10" x 10" x 2", shredded household papers, thread on paper
PRIVATE COLLECTION
These works were collaborations with Cynthia Holder, fashion designer.
Unsourced Material refers to unverified information often accepted as truth. This piece debuted at the Hambidge Residency Auction in May of 2012. In 2013 it was displayed at the Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA; Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, Atlanta, GA and at the Living Fashion Show at Gallery 66 in Cold Spring, NY.
wallmArt was installed at Kibbee Gallery in Atlanta as a holiday store. The ornaments were created from shredded postcard images from Kibbee's shows.
FeMail Armor is a garment designed to protect from home invasions. Assaulted by catalogues and solicitations, women are constantly being induced to purchase beauty, skin care, clothing, undergarments and home related items. Transforming these attempts at persuasion by shredding this torrent of mail and creating an armor-like outfit is our form of consumer protection.
