During COVID-19, I was able to focus on my craft and devote time to improving my technique. This piece, entitled "Phobia," is a reflection of my fear of suffocating spaces. I was prompted to create this piece during the quarantine period, where fears of crowds in the pandemic were heightened. "Phobia" features hands dragging the viewer down, which was influenced by the foam pits at trampoline parks that I would always get stuck in as a kid. The colors and composition were carefully chosen to create an atmosphere of unease and anxiety. --Label design by exhibit curator Nancy DeJoy. Labels written by Ben Lash and his team in consultation with artist statements.
