Artist Statement

I make art because it just naturally comes out of me. I find it hard to look at a blank wall or blank piece of paper and just leave it that way. I have always decorated and painted the walls in my living space. I can’t seem to keep my passions to myself. Looking at my walls, it’s hard to pin down what truly influences me. I like to jokingly say that I was raised by television and in truth, that’s accurate. Every bit of knowledge in my head as a child was put there by film and television. As I have grown up, I’ve become more and more aware and critical of the media that is served to me. My goal in life has increasingly become clear to me. I feel like there is a lack of normal people on television. At least normal in that these are people I will actually see once I step outside. As a native New Yorker, I feel like people who grew up on Friends or even Gossip Girl, have a lack of real understanding to the world I live in. The cast should not be all white and heavily male because when I look outside, I don’t see that. Television and film are entirely too influential on society and misuse that influence to a point where they trick the audience into thinking that’s what they want. My ultimate goal is showing the world what New York City is truly about. Not the glitz or glamour of fancy hotels and restaurants in Manhattan but the people who have to work at the fancy hotels and restaurants and commute late at night back home to the other boroughs. I’m tired of the same struggle being shown on television that of the white middle class family. It’s been done and it’s time to explore the other struggles in this world. The struggle of being born in Queens is one I feel people need to see. It’s diverse and not your typical urban setting.