I am often pushed to work by things that trouble or confound me: the way that absence can be such a felt ‘presence’ – how we survive when we are so disconnected from the land – the pervasiveness of white supremacy and misogyny – how borders and private property have come to seem inevitable… I am also prompted to work by the challenge of visually expressing transient moments of intense joy:  from the first bite of an heirloom summer tomato or fresh sweet corn – to falling in love – to hearing good news of a loved one’s health – it’s all so jubilant and so damn fleeting. As an artist I create work in order to stay present and grounded and not numb to any of it, amid the sorrow and relief of the unrelenting passing of time.