My work is an outward manifestation of my own internal dialogue, and a reaction to a tumultuous and information-overloaded world. Subject matter flows from the political and societal challenges of today and seeks to confront the absurdities of institutionalized and individual dogmas. The issues I confront are seen from a culturally diverse, urban, working-class perspective. Visually, my imagery comes from a sort of muscle memory of engagement within the blue-collar environs of New York City during my coming of age in the 1970s and 80s. The resulting visual language employs a symbolism found within—and representative of—this environment. A loaded paint brush, marker, pastel stick, or welder in my hand automatically seeks to create marks, line, shape, and blocks of color tending toward a modernist graffiti, of graphic and Neoexpressionist influence. Though rooted in earlier art historical periods, my work speaks in a contemporary sense to current history and subject matter.

Elements of the absurd in my work exist to confront an even more absurd reality. I am in no way consciously attempting to be didactic; I am instead engaging in a conversation that stems from a deep-rooted personal curiosity.

• 2022 MFA SUMMER THESIS: Where I’m Coming From