Perspectacles
Perspectacles = perspective + spectacles
Perspectacles are mixed media sculptures the size and shape of eyeglasses. Through creating and photographing them, I explore the ways we see (or don’t see), offering a place to reflect and find deeper understanding of ourselves and each other. The work offers an invitation to see beyond what has been.
As a domestic abuse survivor, this body of work was my voice, saying for me what I didn’t dare speak out loud. The work is presented chronologically, in reverse (newest to oldest).
Sawubona
“Sawubona” is a Zulu greeting meaning “I see you.”. A common response is “Yebo sawubona”, which means “I see you seeing me.” This simple conversation is both my prayer and thanksgiving. Prayer because there's still so very much seeing to be done.
Thanksgiving, for people whose words and actions have said “Sawubona” to me, as I grieve the loss of safety for my AAPI community.
6″x6″3″, mixed media: paper, watercolor crayons, hand lettered commentary, tears. ©2021
Fearless
Real joy is exuberantly fearless.
6″x6″x4″ Mixed media: recycled eyeglass frames, paint, paper, wire. ©2014
Peanut Moment
Sometimes what is truly important becomes clear in a single moment.
Inspired by a friend’s new commitment to family after her grandson’s close call with a peanut.
2″x2″x1″, mixed media: peanut, wire. ©2014
Light
Where do you need it most?
6″x6″x3″ Mixed media: LED lights, Tyvek, recycled eyeglass frames. ©2014
Through
The way through is not always what we think it will be.
6″x6″3″, mixed media: paper, ink, acrylic paint, thread. ©2014
With Us
Compassion weeps with us when we weep. This was made for a friend mourning the loss of her brother.
6″x6″x3″ Mixed media: facial tissue, recycled eyeglass frames. ©2012
What a gift!
There are so many gifts to discover in life and in others.
6″x6″x3” Mixed media: wood, paper, string. ©2012
Never Know When
Life around a short temper can be tense and unpredictably explosive. Note the piece of sandpaper over the nose.
6″x6″3″ Mixed media: matches, sandpaper. ©2012
Enough Winter
Where is it time for you to bloom?
6″x6″x2″ Mixed media: recycled eyeglass frames, paint, paper, thread. ©2012
Gratitude
What are you grateful for today?
These Perspectacles are built on 3-D movie glasses - because seeing with eyes of thankfulness can take us to a different dimension.
6″x6″x3″ Mixed media: 3-D movie glasses, paper, ribbons. ©2012
Better Tiptoe
Where do you need to walk carefully?
5″x5″x2″ Mixed media: eggshells, wire. ©2012
Viriditas
Creativity has its own life-giving way of bursting forth.
6″x6″x3″ Mixed media: recycled eyeglass frames, hand-painted textile, nail polish, wire. ©2011
Missing You
What happens when a life goes uninhabited?
6″x5″x3″ Medium: fused and cold worked kiln glass. ©2011
Back Off
How do you make sure people don’t get too close?
6″x6″x3” Mixed media: recycled eyeglass frames, paint, toothpicks, thread. ©2011
Barricade
We can always choose not to see what is right in front of us. What happens when we do that for a long time?
6″x6″x2″ Mixed media: wire, wood, paint. ©2010
A Good Repair
Reconciliation is a fragile, brave, and often messy process.
An argument begins on the ends of both earpieces, slowly progressing towards a good repair – a reconciliation – in the middle.
6″x6″x2″ Mixed media: two different halves of different recycled eyeglass frames, thread, paper, conversational prose. ©2010
Sorrow
Each tear is beautiful, even when we feel barely stitched together and it’s hard to stand tall.
6″x6″x3″ Mixed media: Fused and slumped glass, rhinestone nail accents. ©2009
Rain on That Parade
What cloud do you need to get out from under?
6″x6″x3″ Mixed media: recycled eyeglass frames, paper collage, paint, foam, glass beads, thread. ©2009
I Want That
Envy undermines our contentment.
6″x6″x3″ Mixed media: recycled eyeglass frames, paint, wire, bamboo, plastic. ©2009
In a Bubble
Isolating ourselves from pain only leaves us lonely and unknown.
6″x6″x3″, mixed media: Recycled eyeglass frames, inks, bubble wrap over collage of monologue. ©2009
Happy Day
Joy is an intentional awareness.
6″x6″x3″, mixed media: polymer clay, paint, paper, wire, pompom. ©2009
Huh?
Confusion can settle into the mind like an obscuring fog.
6″x6″x3″, mixed media: batting, paper, paint, poetry woven through/partially obscured. ©2009
Are We There Yet?
What are you waiting for?
6″x6″x2″ Mixed media: polymer clay, pencil, glass. ©2009
Me Me Me
Our selfishness is more obvious than we realize.
6″x6″x3″, mixed media: copper wire, mirrors, paper collage. ©2009
Afraid
How do you see the world when you are scared?
6″x6″x2″ Mixed media: recycled eyeglass frames, glass, collaged paper images of an ice cap in Peru. ©2009