Buttress, 2022

The armature for this work is inspired by buttresses remaining on the mission churches at Isleta and Ranchos de Taos. The surface of the work, developed using over ten-thousand small handmade paper constructions, is inspired by abstractions of contemporary settlements at Ohkay Owingeh and Isleta. Many of these constructions are covered with drawings given to me by children I have taught throughout the state who live along the Rio Grande corridor. This piece attempts to trace and distill a New Mexican narrative, especially as it relates to our youth in this 21st century. This work is meant to be displayed indoors. It is UV-protected archival quality and has long-term stability.