From My Grandmother’s Hands
My practice examines questions of identity, community, healing, and hope. I’m a multidisciplinary artist and writer using photography, video, sculpture and other media to tell stories that imagine the future, connect with ancestors, and envision a better world. These works create an intense connection with viewers by incorporating sound, touch and visual elements. Growing up as a queer, diasporan American and descendent of genocide survivors, I’m passionate about amplifying diverse voices inspiring change, celebrating the role women play in the survival and evolution of cultures and communities. My Indigenous ancestral lands are in unceded, occupied Western Armenia and I live and work on the unceded Indigenous lands of others. The work I make seeks dialogue with other Indigenous communities around the world, who faced similar experiences of genocide, colonialism, and displacement.
The images I create place people in traditional and futuristic environments, constructing a future world of inclusivity through self-determined, alternative narratives. Ancient indigenous lands and their people, whose ancestors also endured the trauma of genocide and displacement, are re-presented as healed bodies and spaces. This work merges ancestral traditions with futurist visions, grounding my artistic expression in historical motifs, objects, rituals, and sacred places.
Collaborative projects play a pivotal role in co-creating shared visions and narratives. Through sculptures imprinted with powerful memories, videos capturing transcendent cultural rituals, and intimate portraits, my art paints a vivid picture of a future built on interconnectedness and mutual support.Portraits are detailed, often surreal images of the people, places, and objects that are part of both our shared culture and our diversity. They capture not only a single moment, but multiple moments across time and space, asking viewers to look closely and see deeply. My work stimulates connection and empathy in viewers, among the most important experiences for transformational thinking envisioning positive futures.