“The pieces I am submitting relate to two aspects of flourishing, one through the body and the other through community.

Double Incision with Nipple Retention (Buttonhole) depicts my chest before and after receiving the titular procedure. The piece begins with the discolored and ill-fitting breastforms held rigidly to the chestplate by the tension of the pedicle, their weight causing the necklace to hang unnaturally from the neck. By slipping the nipples through the hole in the areola the distressing forms can be removed revealing healthy skin with “buttonholes” for each nipple to be pushed into. The transition between states of the piece is difficult and frustrating, but once it is complete the necklace is able to sit comfortably on the body. Similarly, receiving this surgery on my own body allowed me to flourish without the weight of dysphoria my own breasts caused me.

Support Network is an exploration of the web of relationships present throughout life. The materials, tools, and techniques used in creating it are sourced from my own relationships. The different aspects of the piece and their interactions reflect the differences in parts of a social support network and how they connect. The seashells support the silver spheres which support the river shells, but without the river shells the spheres could fall out of the seashell from their own weight. The chain holds up the entire form, so while it has no direct connection to the river shells they would not be able to hang freely without it. Each component is as unique as any person is and their groupings lead the eye in differing directions. Yet they remain connected in much the same way as people do, mutually supporting one another.”