Contraband (2020)

Twine
11.25"L x 3.5"W x 5.125"H

Contraband was my first attempt at sculptural work.

At the time, I was researching Contraband Camps and was devastated to learn that so many "freed" slaves met horrible ends starving to death or diseased within these refugee camps and then were thrown into mass graves. The long standing effects of this injustice are such that, even to this day, people within the vicinity of these encampments know not to eat anything that grows there.

This unwillingness to feed from these areas gave me a surprising sense of relief. These people spent their lives exploited and subjugated. Nothing can ever correct that devastating reality, but the thought that they are now settled in a place together that will go undisturbed brings me some solace. What a beautiful eternity that must be, to grow and feed and sway with the wind where you can no longer be trampled.

You can read more about contraband camps here.