WHY I CURATE...
As a curator, I am deeply committed to creating spaces where diverse voicesand perspectives can be heard and celebrated. My curatorial practice is drivenby a belief in the power of art to spark dialogue, challenge societal norms,and illuminate underrepresented experiences. I seek to bring together worksthat provoke reflection on themes of identity, representation, displacement,and cultural exchange, with an emphasis on addressing the complexities of ourcontemporary world.
I approach each exhibition as an opportunity to engage with both artists andaudiences in meaningful ways, encouraging conversations that transcend theartwork itself. I believe that art can function as a catalyst for socialchange, offering new ways of seeing and understanding the world around us.Through exhibitions such as Third Space of Anthropoceneand Dreamer Warriors, I have strived to create spacesthat amplify voices often marginalized in mainstream discourse, fosteringinclusion and empathy.
In my curatorial practice, I prioritize collaboration, communityinvolvement, and the creation of dynamic, experiential environments. Whetherthrough public programming, artist talks, or performance-based elements, I aimto make art more accessible, participatory, and transformative. By facilitatingthese interactions, I hope to foster a deeper connection between the artwork,the artist, and the audience, creating lasting impacts that extend beyond thegallery walls.
A MANIFEST OF IPSEITIES | 2019
A Manifest of Ipseitiesbrings together a dynamic and thought-provoking group of artists who challengehow physical bodies, defined by identity markers, are perceived both by othersand themselves. Through lenses shaped by social perceptions, culturaljudgments, political predispositions, and religious expectations, these artistsconfront the trauma caused by stereotypes, offering a profound commentary onthe human experience.
The exhibition delves into interdisciplinary contributions,drawing from political-economic theory and the histories of global socialmovements addressing race and diversity. These perspectives fuel a richdialogue on conceptual and aesthetic issues central to today’s world. Theresult is a platform that celebrates and amplifies the voices of so-called“others,” including immigrants, proud members of LGBTQ+ communities, andmore—shedding light on identities often marginalized or misunderstood.
The Curatorial Vision
True to its title, A Manifest of Ipseities (Manifest:evidenced, bold; Ipseity: character, selfhood), the exhibition embraceseccentricity, individuality, and the unique experiences of the “others.” Itinvites audiences to engage in discussions on color, gender, class, power, andstereotypes—ultimately aiming to understand and accept humanity beyond theconfines of physical identity.
Inspired by George Herbert Mead’s seminal text, Mind,Self, and Society, the exhibition underscores the idea that identities areshaped through social interaction and self-reflection. Mead’s insights onsimilarity and difference highlight the societal constructions that dictate whobelongs and who is deemed an outsider. By challenging these constructs, AManifest of Ipseities questions the exclusivity of belonging and thesystems that perpetuate division.
Featured Artists and Works
The participating artists bring deeply personal perspectivesto the themes of identity, body image, and healing. The works of KylieGotzfried, Patricia Luiso, Kayleigh Waterman, Emma Albert, Carolyn Blohm,Natalie Miller, Ebi Baralaye, Emmy Bright, Mars, and Noelani Retz form the coreof this exhibition. Their art explores dark and complex topics through bright,vibrant exteriors—a striking and intentional contrast that symbolizes thecrisis of ipseity.
Through playful yet meaningful manipulations of the body andrepresentations of social speculation and assault, the artists create a spacewhere audiences can confront and normalize these multifaceted ideas. The worksaim to provoke, challenge, and inspire viewers to rethink the constructs ofidentity and the power of belonging.
MIGHTY REAL/QUEER DETROIT | 2022
https://detroitartistsmarket.org/poets-mystics-and-gods/
Mighty Real / Queer Detroit brings together, for the firsttime, a grand-scale representation of the range and depth of queer art inDetroit, showcasing over 70 years of Detroit's LGBTQ+ history through the worksof 140+ artists across 17 exhibition venues. The exhibition celebrates thecontributions of emerging and established artists from Detroit and itsmetropolitan area, highlighting diverse but intersecting backgrounds. Launchingin June 2022 to coincide with LGBTQ+ Pride Month, this month-long event offersa rich reflection on the diversity of the queer community and its longtimeallies while commemorating past advances and addressing the significance of thecurrent political climate.
Spread across multiple venues, Mighty Real/Queer Detroit will feature music,film, spoken word, and performance art alongside visual works. Complementingthe exhibition, a calendar of events will include panel discussions, artisttalks, performances, and poetry readings, offering opportunities for reflectionand dialogue. A printed catalogue, featuring selected artwork and essays, willexamine the exhibit from historical, cultural, and personal perspectives.
The exhibition also delves into themes of loss and remembrance, highlightingrarely seen works by artists lost to AIDS in the 1980s and ’90s. Art by BrianBuczak, Timothy Gass, Marcus Mannino, and Constatinos Tsatsanis will beexhibited for the first time, alongside a special tribute to legendary Detroitartist LeRoy Foster. Through this unique combination of contemporary andhistorical perspectives, Mighty Real/Queer Detroit honors the past whilecelebrating the present and future of queer art in Detroit.
My Role
Part of a 5 person board, curatorial team (specifically curated at College For Creative Studies and Detroit Artist Market) and programming team as well as designed the website.
DREAMER WARRIORS | 2023
https://detroitartistsmarket.org/dreamer-warriors-2/
The Dreamer Warriors is a poignant and timely exhibition that brings together a diverse group of first, second, and third-generation immigrant artists. These artists navigate the complex terrains of identity, belonging, and acceptance in a society that often defines them as "other." Through their works, they reveal the daily battles faced since their arrival in America, offering a profound exploration of how immigrants perceive themselves and are perceived by others. This exhibition sheds light on social perceptions, cultural judgments, political predispositions, and religious expectations while addressing the deep trauma caused by stereotypes.
The featured artworks stem from interdisciplinary contributions, including political-economic theory and the histories of global social movements centered on race and diversity. These contributions fuel conceptual and aesthetic discussions that resonate in today’s world. The exhibition serves as a vital platform to acknowledge the "others" who are now integral yet often unrecognized members of our communities—immigrants who are proud but vulnerable in their quest for belonging.
Curatorial Statement
"The Dreamer Warriors" celebrates the resilience and complexity of immigrant identities while challenging the societal frameworks that marginalize them. By showcasing works that highlight the eccentricity and vibrancy of "otherness," the exhibition invites audiences to engage with critical dialogues about color, gender, class, power, and stereotypes. These discussions encourage a deeper understanding and acceptance of humanity beyond reductive categories and labels.
Drawing inspiration from George Herbert Mead’s seminal work, Mind, Self, and Society, this exhibition underscores how social identities are constructed through interactions and self-reflection. Mead’s theory posits that identity emerges from agreements, disagreements, and negotiations with others, shaped by societal norms and perceptions. This dynamic process reveals the exclusivity inherent in group identities, as societies delineate who belongs and who remains an outsider.
Through this lens, "The Dreamer Warriors" interrogates the socially constructed boundaries that determine inclusion and exclusion. The featured artworks confront these constructs head-on, presenting narratives of struggle, survival, and triumph. They embody the fight for respect, recognition, and equal footing—an urgent call to dismantle barriers and foster a more inclusive society.
As a curator, I invite you to journey through this powerful collection and witness the courage and creativity of the dreamer warriors. This exhibition is not just a showcase of art but a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who strive to belong and make their voices heard. Together, let us move toward a world where humanity is celebrated in all its diversity and complexity.
