Inspiration:

The girl is Sadie Pfeifer, a young girl working at a South Carolina cotton mill in 1908. The Lewis Hine photograph is a striking memory of our past. I imagined the dichotomy of prison and freedom. The boy reaches out for help amidst the crumbling walls and broken bars. His colorless world fades into the lush beauty of hope. The girl offers a rose, the unconditional love and hope of humanity, creating freedom as it grows.

What role does art play in your life?

Art is my favorite expression - visualizing my hopes, dreams, desires. It is my meditation to calm my soul and escape the chaos of this life. I'm inspired by the possibility that my art can reach others to effect change and create freedom.

Artist statement:

Thinking about personal growth, I dream of the future where incarceration is like child labor - a distant memory. My growth is found discovering the ways I can approach this personal issue, finding effective solutions to realize a positive future. I am moved by images like Hine's - the way they offer transparency to the facets of forgotten society. I attempt to embody this idea into art. I hope my work will emotionally move a viewer, sparking the desire to be involved and act on the harm they see. My growth is a journey, continuously working to improve myself and the world around. me.