My process in making this piece involved hand printing 10 yards of fabric with two alternating prints, both depicting a young space cadet. I use an oil-based printmaking ink to print onto cotton fabric. The ceramic elements (eyes and nipples) are earthenware clay. The hair is two different secondhand acrylic yarns stitched lovingly into the piece.

My work is deeply inspired by pop culture, from music to film to fashion. I love anime, particularly shows in the Magical Girl genre, this genre is often filled with LGBT+ themes and an embracing of feminity. My work often has celestial elements, as I enjoy cosmic horror, and the ever-expanding totality of the universe and the fear it instills in me works a way into my art. I’m also inspired by philosophy, particularly existentialism, and optimistic nihilism.

This piece is an exploration of my gender identity, and my general anxiety and uncertainty about my future and my existence. I often feel like I’m an insignificant blip, floating in space. But yet, in the creation of this Doll, who is larger than myself, I force my ideas to take up space and be seen in their techincolor glory. I identify as nonbinary, and I chose the three main colors to represent conflicting gender presentations. I used baby blue and pink to represent traditional gender roles, and purple to represent gender nonconformity.

This piece won “Best In Show” during the 26th Annual Juried Student Art Show at Otterbein University.