My work explores sports fandom and its connections with religion, ritual, and identity. Growing up in Wisconsin, I became a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan, and players—past and present, larger than life, carriers of hopes and dreams--have become the inspiration for much of my work.
The craft processes I choose to create the works are rooted in fandom--in devotion, in repetitive labor, in endless hours of meticulous care. Through my dedication to time consuming processes I am proving my worth as a fan. I also play with the parallels between this kind of fandom and religious devotion. In a sense, any ritual is a physical action that affirms one’s connection and belonging to a higher being. The football players of today are like the religious icons of history. The patterns and motifs surrounding the figures elevate them from mere players to iconic figures.