Visiting Hours

MFA Thesis Exhibition, Queens College

I aim to give a glimpse of the reality of psychiatric treatment as both the patient and the observer. This exploration of self references surrealism and uses object-relational theory to add layers of meaning and identity to the objects that surround me. “Li Dreams” references a bed, but has dead sunflower stalks growing from a transparent pillowcase filled with stained cotton. In “A Call for Help” one hand holds the phone to make a call while the other one poises scissors to cut the cord. Each work shows a piece of a treatment experience that literally overwhelms life as it was formerly known. The collection is a look at the effects of psychiatric norms on everyday life, grounded in an ungrounded sense of self.

The many rich projects you produced in such a short time, all of which appear to be located at the intersection of sculptural objects, archeological installations and storytelling. While they call for a degree of empathy regarding the narrative of institutionalization, they are also fully reflexive and ironic in the best tradition of works by people like Edward and Nancy Kienholz, or Martha Rosler (projects such as "if you lived here" and "semiotics of the kitchen" in particular), and perhaps even a bit of Matthew Barney tossed in as well. You have created a strong body of work for your thesis about a difficult topic, especially when considering that the author is both at the center of/and also standing apart from the subject matter. The show comes straight at the viewer with an aesthetic intensity all it's own: congratulations and looking forward to seeing you continue this vital work!

- Gregory Scholette, Social Practice Queens Professor/Advisor

Visitation

Creation Date: November 2020/May 2021
Materials/Techniques: rubbings and risographs, set of 33, 8.5 x 11” each, black and white
Measurements/Duration: minimum 10 x 6 ft

Bluescapes

(2.1) I gave You my eyes, now all they see is blue (2.2) Faded in Blue (2.3) How to drown above water (2.4) Untitled (to fit in a space you designed)
Creation Date: February 2020
Materials/Techniques: video stills, digital line work, cotton paper
Measurements/Duration: each 24 x 36” prints
Additional Descriptions: selections 4 of 12, installed unconventionally: hanging from hooks, free-standing on the floor, folded into a corner

(see full bluescapes series and digital originals here)

Call For Help

Creation Date: March 2021
Materials/Techniques: Sculpture, found objects, altered objects
Measurements/Duration: 4.5 x 6 ft

Grounded

Creation Date: January 2021
Materials/Techniques: Found objects, wood, dead bugs
Measurements/Duration: 24 x 17.5 x 18“

Mama’s Encouragement (Station)

Creation Date: April 2021
Materials/Techniques: fabric, bed frame, pillows, sketches, bed-side table
Measurements/Duration: 75” x 50” x 20”, varied duration
Additional Descriptions: fabric printed with an enocuragement card from mama. A station to process the show’s big concepts in a comforting envirnoment.

Li Dreams

Creation Date: December 2020
Materials/Techniques: Dead sunflower stalks, elderberry dyed cotton, foam, wood, found objects
Additional Descriptions: references a bed, but has dead sunflower stalks growing from a transparent pillowcase filled with stained cotton. Objects such as wine bottles, orange peels, and matches are in the space. Prescriptions are found in creases and corners. The floor is wood laminate.

Functionals Only (Rock Wall)

Creation Date: May 2021
Materials/Techniques: Found objects: Marquee Letters, Rock climb holds, trophy, mark-making
Measurements/Duration: Varied
Additional Descriptions: Some Marquee letters to spell out “Functional Member of Society” at the top of the rock climb are missing or do not light up. The “I” from society has fallen and rests at the foot of the climb.

Prescription Subscription: (1) Your Prescription is Ready and (2) Delivery as Default

Creation Date: May 2021
Materials/Techniques: Prescription bottles and prints, fabric shopping bag, US Postal service bag, text
Measurements/Duration: (1) 2.5 x 9.5 ft (2) 2.5 x 4 ft
Additional Descriptions: text above each work, 1 & 2.

Pills and Pillows Lounge and Storage Chair

Creation Date: May 2021
Materials/Techniques: Wood, Sculpture
Measurements/Duration: 24 x 24 x 53 “
Additional Descriptions: Chair with a rectangle base, curved seat back, and space for storage behind the seat. Design based on day/night pill containers. Made of wood with accents. Precarious in structure and long screws that stick out. Simultaneity of helpful but potentially dangerous medicine.

2-D/3-D sketch (rooftop)

Creation Date: March 2021/May 2021
Materials/Techniques: Wood, silicones casts, rubbing, found objects, sketchbook prints
Measurements/Duration: 3.5 x 6.5ft

Eat My Heart Out (Pop-Up Diner)

Creation Date: March 2021/May 2021
Materials/Techniques: Wood, silicones casts, rubbing, found objects, a heart, sketchbook prints
Measurements/Duration: Varied
Additional Descriptions: A diner installation with counter, kitchen, buffet, and two tables with meals displayed on top.

I found water, now where’s God?

Creation Date: December 2020
Materials/Techniques: Photography, slide projector, bathroom found objects
Measurements/Duration: Varied
Additional Descriptions: A slide projector displays photos projected inside of a shower in a bathroom built environment.

I found water, now where’s God projected photos set

Pill Candy Dishes

Creation Date: April 2021
Materials/Techniques: Glass candy dish, multi-colored pills
Measurements/Duration: 6 x 6 inches
Additional Descriptions: Put throughout the show as an appeal to make pills more appetizing. At the visitor’s sign-in, on the counter in the diner installation, on the stairs with a book.

See if you can find the candy pill dishes placed in other works. 3 total.