Gradual evolution is an established constant in life. But in our era, humanity seems to be zooming through the process, transforming into something new at a staggering speed. Every day, technologies, ideas, and entire fields of human inquiry become obsolete before they even get established. With every passing moment, artificial intelligence systems amass massive amounts of data, gradually surpassing human capabilities and approaching the intersection of human consciousness. Artistic expression is probably not exempt from this overtake.

In this context, I simply view my generation’s characteristic angst and scatteredness as the pain of “becoming the next” (something akin to the mother of all growing pains). I have no illusion that my art can or should have a profound say in how we process or confront our ongoing and inevitable transformation. The only thing that my art seeks to interrupt for a moment is the discomfort of going through change. We all have our analgesics: we use goods, drugs, wellness memberships, cosmetic procedures, headlines, and flashing social media footage as distractions. Making art is one of my coping mechanisms. I typically make large and elaborate volumes by stapling together fragments of discarded cardboard packaging; I view these forms as monuments to the joys of needlessness and transience.

The corsets presented at this exhibition belong to a series of wearable sculptures that utilize my love of fashion to pay homage to society’s favorite pastimes and distractions. Crafted from Amazon packaging cardboard, “Oblivion Rhapsody” is a corset that embodies our contemporary reliance on technology to dictate and meet our daily needs and desires. “Numb Me to the Moon” and “Bezosius Remedy” are both crafted from liquor cases and represent society’s enduring drug of choice.

Despite their precarious appearance, these corsets are designed to be attractive and robust enough to offer their wearer some support for a time. The interpretation of these works and the “vices” they represent would depend on the audience’s views on where humanity is headed whether they feel they have any say in it.