This suite of works investigates political "soft power" via nine former first ladies. The sculptures are constructed from home decoration fabrics, and each is a hollow form—like a slipcover—implying that the presentation of the public image is more important than these women’s actual lives. They have been exhibited at Anytime Dept. (2018); Upfor Gallery (2019); Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art (2020); and Oregon Center for Contemporary Art (2021).
Installation view of State Dinner at Anytime Dept., Cincinnati, 2018.
Installation view of State Dinner at Anytime Dept., Cincinnati, 2018.
MT (detail), 2018; velvet, cotton, polyester, chenille brocade, aluminum, paint; approx. 66 x 37 x 29 in.
Left: BB, 2018; polyester, wool, cotton, brass buttons; 46 x 12 x 5.5 in. Right: NR, 2018; polyester, wool, cotton; 34 x 12 x 5 in.
BF, 2018; polyester, rayon, cotton; 40 x 16 x 5 in.
PN, 2018; polyester, cotton, spandex; 40 x 17 x 5.5 in.
RC, 2018; polyester, cotton; 48 x 18 x 8 in.
LB, 2018; polyester, rayon, aluminum, paint; approx. 60 x 44 x 29 in. Shown installed in DEAR LUCY at Upfor Gallery, Portland, 2019.
Left: MO, 2018; cotton, polyester, silk, aluminum, paint; approx. 62 x 38 x 29 in. Right: HC, 2018; polyester, aluminum, paint; approx. 61 x 36 x 30 in. Shown installed in Time Being at Oregon Center for Contemporary Art, Portland, 2021.