Cradle of Humankind

Found-object Sculpture

I began with what others discarded: a small sculpture, a souvenir, a piece of jewelry, a carved wood wall hanging. Each piece carries a memory — a summer day, a vacation, a gift — and together they find a new purpose. My found-object sculpture is an exercise in translation: I listen to the objects’ shapes, textures, and implied motion, then arrange them until a new voice emerges.

Process

Gather: I collect small, everyday items from thrift stores, flea markets, and roadside discoveries.

* Sort: I separate pieces by line and edge (curved vs. straight), surface (reflective, matte, textured), and color temperature (warm metals, cool grays, splashes of painted color).

* Compose: I experiment with balance and tension, stacking, hanging, and wiring objects together. I let chance edits guide me.

* Secure: Once a composition feels resolved, I anchor parts with adhesives, screws, or ties, always prioritizing stability without erasing the objects’ original character.

* Finish: I may leave surfaces raw, accent them with paint, or add patina to unify disparate pieces while preserving their histories.

Theme

* Transformation: Ordinary items return as small monuments to resilience and reimagination.

* Memory and time: Wear and residue become marks of lived experience; the sculpture is a palimpsest of moments.

       * Play and pattern: Repetition, rhythm, and unexpected juxtapositions create a visual music that invites closer inspection.

Why this practice matters to me, working with found objects connects making to everyday life. It’s an embrace of imperfection and a gentle recycling of stories. The sculpture reminds viewers that beauty and meaning can be discovered in the humble and overlooked.

This painting was inspired by all the women of color in my life who have been my family, friends, and teachers. I have watched them sacrifice, persevere, and work tirelessly to become female powerhouses, guided by a deep love for humanity and a clear vision for a more equitable future. As a woman and first-generation immigrant who grew up during the Civil Rights era, I have either personally known or witnessed many of the hardships and inequities they continue to face. Their courage, intellect, and compassion place them within a long continuum of women who paved the way, women whose labor, protest, and dreams opened paths that once seemed impossible.

We are fortunate to live in the 21st century, a time shaped by the struggles and sacrifices of those who came before us. That legacy grants us the freedom to imagine our own futures and to bring those visions into being, not only for ourselves, but for women of every race and color. This painting honors that shared journey, the private sacrifices, the public victories, and the enduring belief that a fairer, more inclusive world is possible.

Through color, line, pattern, and texture, I sought to capture both resilience and possibility, the way individual lines intertwine and strengthen one another within a collective movement. Bold strokes reflect determination and resolve, while softer, layered marks speak to empathy, memory, and generational continuity. Together, they form a composition that celebrates achievement and invites viewers to continue the work of equity, care, and shared responsibility for one another.

Woman In a Poncho oil painting 9” x 12”, $900

Cradle of Humankind sculpture: wood, stone, vine, and beads 18” x 12”, $1200

Woman In a Poncho