SameSameDifferentDifferent

SameSameDifferntDifferent was created as a homage to Superteams of the past, present and future: individuals with distinct characteristics, qualities and powers who come together around a shared belief, vision or goal, to make a difference in the world they live in. This body of work reflects on childhood - the concepts, ideologies and moments that inspired my upbringing, guiding me towards adulthood, and what it means to work collaboratively with others. The places we’re from, the conditions we experience and the events that take place in our life shape our behaviour and bring form to our identity. As a human culture on earth, we have similarities and we have differences. The lens through which we see shapes how we experience these oppositions - what appears similar to one could present differently to another. How we are cultured influences how the world appears to us - people, environment, history, beliefs and our journey through learning provide us with a prescription for seeing life as it happens.

The work in this show revisits creation from a childlike state of expression. A way of being which was sidelined in my journey of becoming the person I thought I needed to be. This body of work is evolved from the broken bits, the less desirable, the fractured and the forgotten, transformed and given new meaning. In the production, I experienced feelings comparable to that of mixing paint in a palette for the first time in kindergarten class, creating the colours of my conception. Within this collection, there are 7 series of artworks, articulated in 6 different colour groupings composed of wood, sculpture, paintings and poetry. Each colour is a representation of the different regions that you would find on earth - Water, Forests, Deserts, Mountains, Prairies and the built environment. The detailing within the artwork has evolved from the regional conditions, and geography that each colour represents. The woodwork in this series expresses a decade of knowledge gathered while creating manufactured objects with local British Columbia species. It exploits the qualities of wood, enhancing the texture and grain which gives a unique character to each artwork.

This collection contains the essence of many stories, waiting to be distilled by viewers who each bring their unique set of eyes to experience the art. How might we reimagine the concept of Superteams as a means to shift the course of the future on this planet? The relations, connections, similarities and differences present in this work are here for us to reflect on togetherness and to celebrate the essence of who we are - our Vis Viva.

Vis Viva

Derived from the Latin term “Living Force,” the Vis Viva series represents the unique energies that flow through all things—living beings and elements of our world. This energy connects and animates everything, forming the invisible bonds that unite life with the natural environment. Rather than being a single unified energy, Vis Viva operates on different wavelengths, akin to how color appears to the human eye. Though invisible, this energy sparks life, energizing those who live, serve, and protect their regions. As a form of kinetic energy, it sets events into motion, moving between beings and elements (living and non-living), facilitating a constant flow and balance in the environment.

This series of watercolor paintings served as the seed point for the SSDD collection, laying the foundation for all future works. Created in isolation during the pandemic, these monochromatic compositions convey distinct emotions, brought to life by the energy of color. Each painting follows a structured layering process, with imagined rules providing cohesion. Yet, as the compositions evolve, the rules bend and shift to align with the energy being generated. Showcased in handcrafted wooden frames, textured and painted to harmonize with the collection’s sculptural works, these paintings embody the vibrant energy that characterizes the entire collection.

Ancient Ancestors

Forming an integral part of the SSDD collection, The Ancient Ancestors series was conceived to embody historical symbols - Successive generations that embraced narratives, principles, aspirations, and significance. Each colour within the series symbolizes a distinct geographic origin, shaping their characteristics and equipping them with the capacity to adapt and thrive within their respective environments. I envision these creations as reminiscent of ancient cave paintings or meticulously crafted artifacts; they represent an abstraction of dynamic stories, personalities, or events, frozen within a static work of art and immortalized to enlighten and guide future generations

Each Ancestor comes into existence through the intricate artistry of deconstructing two wooden blocks, deftly parted by the careful swing of a hatchet. These parts are then reassembled into a final, harmonious form before being adorned with paint. This meticulous process exposes the inherent character nestled within the very grain of the wood, a revelation that emerges as the blocks are thoughtfully divided. Once the character is unveiled, their form is refined and intricately detailed, shaped by the distinctive attributes of their designated colour region. The infusion of colour follows a formula, beginning with a base hue and utilizing dark and light colour values to produce a spectrum of tones that are applied to accentuate the features of each character.

Eternal Guardians

The Eternal Guardians series stands as symbolic figures, embodying the essence of the lands they protect. As with all series in the SSDD collection, each color represents a distinct region, reflecting both the characteristics and aesthetics of its environment. Inspired by sacred natural sites—landforms revered by cultures for their spiritual significance—and the mythology of mythical beasts, the Guardians merge the power of the earth with the mysticism of legend, embodying a presence both grounded and otherworldly. Though static in form, they exude a dynamic presence, existing between the physical and spiritual realms. These eternal beings have always been present and will remain forever, serving as stewards of generations. Standing tall, they serve as vigilant guardians, witnessing the shifts in their landscapes and preserving the wisdom of these transformations for eternity.

Each Guardian originates from a single wooden beam, fractured under immense pressure during engineering tests in a wood lab. These tests pushed the wood to its breaking point, revealing internal weaknesses hidden within the grain. Along these fracture lines, the wood naturally separates, producing dynamic textures that express the organic growth patterns of a tree. The creative process involves reassembling these broken pieces into cohesive sculptural forms, symbolizing transformation and rebirth. What might have been discarded as waste is instead given new life, its history of trauma highlighted to convey deeper meaning. A monochrome palette was purposefully chosen to emphasize the wood’s grain and fracture pathways, allowing the interplay of light and shadow to reveal the story embedded within the material and the symbolism of each work.

Rangers

The Rangers are the modern-day heroes, protectors of their regions, upholding the principles and values passed down from their ancestors. Each colour in the series reflects a distinct geographic location, shaping the Rangers’ characters and informing their tools and natural technologies for adaptation and survival. Inspired by the action figures of my childhood, this series evokes the excitement of unpacking toys, clicking their accessories into place, and letting the adventure unfold. The Rangers are a fluid and dynamic group, moving with a mastery born of discipline and dedication, while embodying the apprentice mindset—pursuing excellence through personal growth, humility, and the endless journey toward perfection, much like the Samurai spirit.

The Rangers were the final series conceived in this collection, continuing the tradition of transformation through breaking and reassembly. Each figure began as a smooth wooden pillar of varying heights, sanded and finished before being split with a hatchet. Each colour’s accompanying poetry, written as a kind of theme song for the character, was carefully translated into form and structure, guiding the design and bringing the words to life in the figure’s physical presence. This series is distinguished by a meticulous assembly process, where every fragment of wood, down to the smallest slivers, was used. These tiny pieces became the accessories that gave each character its final appearance and distinct identity. The colour was applied solely to the split sections of the wood, emphasizing the contrast between the inner and outer surfaces and adding a playful, vibrant energy to the figures.