artist statement

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My multi-disciplinary practice is an intimate act of self-reflection. Through mixed-media painting, video art, and crochet, I confront myself: an atypical woman and blue-collar worker, a six-time car accident survivor, and an insecure Serbian-Canadian outsider. Everyday experiences, contemplations, and materials act as starting points for the visual “reactions” that ultimately articulate my philosophies. The sensitivity of Louise Bourgeoise’s drawings, the immediacy of Marlene Dumas’ paintings, and the ingenuity of Brian Jungen’s sculptures have all shaped my practice. Over the years, my work has developed from traditional still-lifes rendered in conventional materials to more contemporary creations defined by unconventional materials, such as lo-res video clips, shredded medical reports, and discarded plastics. 

 

Despite the risks, I have worked my job at the Vancouver waterfront more than ever throughout the pandemic. What began as a stress-relieving lunchroom hobby, crocheting dishcloths and masks, has evolved into the making of textile replicas of my work gear. I am delighted to witness an increased appreciation for the working class, especially for those classified as unskilled workers. However, I feel vulnerable and find myself re-evaluating my environment. I question safety equipment, such as the elastomeric respirator, which prevents lead poisoning but neither stops the transmission of viruses nor conspiracy theories. I alienate myself- I no longer share food or play cards with others. My hands keep busy, my mind settles. My boss smiles and lovingly says that I remind him of his mother back in Russia. My laughing co-worker asks to try on a crocheted work glove. I am coping.