Acknowledgements
Throughout the course of this year I was taken to many different spaces that weren’t mine but were integral to the creation of these works. A big thank you to Lauren Krasnoff and friends (Emily, Serafina, Kate) for letting me into their personal space. Thank you Lauren for giving me a space to remain motivated, hold me accountable, and giving me the opportunity to create alongside you. For making this possible last minute, thank you to Perri Phelps for the photo support and love, along with Sam and Ben (the gallery team) for helping me photograph/display the artwork. For the many walks I took in Radzyń Podlaski, Poland, that provided me with inspiration in every step taken, I have to thank Krystian Karpiński and Sylwester Osak who have given me more than words can ever articulate. From the words I can find, I have to thank them for providing me with a home across the globe, a continual source of inspiration, and for welcoming me into their families while becoming part of mine. Also a big thanks to my family, specifically my Father, for the constant critiques that no one else can give, for always supporting me, and for the endless conversations about art and creation while pushing me to create more. Lastly, I would like to thank all the professors, faculty members, and administrators at Mason Gross School of the Arts. Thank you in particular to the Undergraduate Advisor Amee Pollack for the endless support getting me back to school and helping me constantly throughout my four years here at Rutgers – from class scheduling, making sure I apply to opportunities by the deadline (like actually making sure), and writing letters of recommendation, thank you! Another big thank you to every painting professor I had who inspired me, along with the many sculpture professors and in particular Sculpture Professor Patrick Strzelec for being the only one who allowed me and pushed me to think the way I do while providing me with many life lessons. Lastly, while she is not here today, a big thank you to Kirsten Kraa who is seeing my first body of work from above – without her I would not have gone to art school. She provided me with her knowledge of techniques, made me feel loved, and bestowed her philosophy for creating onto me which has given me my own motives and basis for making art. On top of the many friends I didn’t mention who were crucial to my life and took part in it at Rutgers University that may have been from my program, from residence life, or even from my freshmen year dormitory – I thank you. Thank you all for giving me what you have and for enabling me to create this series.
Below are images/memories of some of the people mentioned above
