Artist Statement: What inspires me to make art is the way human beings relate to one another. Through my sculpture, I explore human relationships and interactions by stripping the figure of details that would lead to a specific identity then use the simplified figure to create reflective narratives. Without these superficial or temporal cues, my hope is to evoke a deeper sense of empathy among us. As humans, we constantly seek to uniquely identify ourselves in every way we can. In our search for individuality, there is still a deep desire to belong and connect; a fight for meaningful existence in a crowded world. My work takes us back from the distractions of individuality and reconnects us to each other, creating an introspective sensitivity for how we are not all that different at our core. I think one of the most basic human needs is relationship with fellow humans. I use the word ‘souls’ to describe the basic figures that are the starting point for all of my work because I feel it touches on the essence of who everyone is. It does not indicate who we are on our physical surface or who we are in our circumstances, but who we really are and how we really connect. We all experience joy, pain, suffering, sorrow, and love. Sculpting the human form in this style connects people on the deepest aspects of life. I want my work to have a therapeutic and relatable feel to it that draws the viewer in to empathize with it.