ARTIST STATMENTMy work explores the complexities of navigating personal and cultural histories in service to the construct of ones identity. Drawing from my experience as an American of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent I explore these concepts through layered reliefs in ceramics and fiber. I investigate how personal and cultural histories shape who we are and how we present ourselves. Ceramics, fragile yet enduring, serves as a material record, embodying both vulnerability and permanence. Framing these ceramic pieces fiber is used. incorporating techniques such as needle-punch embroidery. This slow, repetitive process reflects the cumulative nature of history, where each stitch is built upon the last.By layering materials and patterns, historical, found, and invented, I examine the constructed nature of the past and our desire for belonging. My work invites reflection and dialogue, offering space to consider the layered stories we carry and the complexities of being. BIOGRAPHYApril Felipe was born in, Queens, New York. She received her B.F.A from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and her M.F.A in Ceramics from Ohio University. April worked at Greenwich House Pottery, taught at Ohio State University and Ohio University. In 2017 she was named one of Ceramic Monthly’s Emerging Artist and began a ceramic jewelry line babyGrapes Designs that are carried in galleries though out the United States. She has participated in residencies at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts and The Archie Bray Foundation. April was organizer at The Color Network.org. She has set down roots in Albany, Ohio with a home studio.