Hailey, Maple, Basil, and Percy  is a bench that explores identity, perception, and belonging.  It was inspired by the students I named it after, who are all in the process of defining themselves.  This piece reflects the experience of embracing who you are, striving to become what you know yourself to be, and navigating the challenge of fitting in with others who may not fully understand. 

This piece began with finding a uniquely curvy piece of cherry wood, an unexpected characteristic for a material often assumed to be straight.  The arrangement of the wood stones on the bench mirrors where my students sat in class.  This is the first time I’ve incorporated an actual rock in my work as the stones I usually use are made from wood, a choice that challenges assumptions by blurring the line between appearance and reality. Combining an actual rock with the wood stones in this piece speaks to the complexity of identity and material authenticity.  This bench invites reflection on how we present ourselves, how we are perceived, and the deeper truths that define who we are.

cherry, boxelder, maple, poplar, granite, painted legs, osmo top oil on wood surfaces 16 x 60 x 24 in