I’m uncomfortable. You should be, too.

I’m Uncomfortable. You Should Be, Too is the story of discomfort through a series of collages combining weaving, drawing, and writing. Intentionally detail-oriented, each part of my process contributes to larger, deliberate messages about insecurity.

It is hard for me to weave something that isn’t emotional. Weaving is the foundation. The work is conceived on a Japanese loom that encourages free-form improvisations and serendipitous mistakes. Next, I draw a familiar object, one that carries a obvious perspective: for example, crocodiles are creepy. To add unease, I collage it with something discordant — in “Anxious” I fuse the crocodile head with chicken feet. To underscore the intention, I attach a little message, imposing authority by placing it in a scroll.

As the viewer slowly solves this rebus, it reveals the intricacies of my insecurities. Each step purposefully unravels my discomfort. Cartoon hearts on realistic cricket wings portray how disturbing romance can be. An excess of eyes compel a connection from the viewer.

What is left are dynamic compositions that are as much poetry as they are artwork.

Night music never sounded like this.