Artist Statement

Lenses

How well do you know the stories behind the people that you interact with on a daily basis? 

Going back to when I was younger, I always loved hearing stories from my parents and grandparents about their lives when they were younger. It was a fascinating way to connect on a deeper level and see glimpses of their past that made them who they are today.

That same curiosity carried through as I grew up. I’ve always striven to have deeper conversations with others and then truly aim to listen as intently as I could. From this experience I quickly realized, you never truly know someone until you’ve heard and understood their story. This is especially true when social media plays such a dominant role in our lives; oftentimes only creating a 2-dimensional narrative for others to see. And as we make our way through the pandemic and into unfamiliar territory, our previous ways in which we connected with those around us have been forever altered.

The design process in Lenses is my way of building up empathy and inspiring others to do the same in their lives. At the end of the day, my hope is that Lenses will promote the endless potential of sharing the stories of others and begin to foster a more understanding environment for all.

It all began with stories being told together as a family which sparked this mission to bring design, empathy, and humankind together as one.

It’s funny how much you can learn about yourself by seeing through the eyes of others.

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Want to view more of my process? Check out my personal website for a better look at my show!