For many of my earlier works, I concentrated on dealing with subject matters like decomposition and deterioration. These ideas were influenced by turmoil and strife in my surrounding experiences, but as I have made my way through these events, little moments of absurdity seem to peek from behind the curtain. Little memories of people and situations from my past that, at the time were appreciated, but heavily overshadowed by other traumas, have started to push back and ooze forth from thoughts. These thoughts have turned into bulbous forms that seem to be growing and spewing some sort of inside joke that isn’t quite understood. Bright and awkward colors run and puddle while moving around lumps and crevices. Strange costume like materials seem to be referring to some sort of performance. A cluster of silliness is growing.
The “SQUAT” series of work is based on an overtaking sense of absurdity and playfulness and is intended to feel like a celebration of awkwardness. The word “SQUAT” is printed on the faces of the pieces in a declaration of intent to laugh. A moment of imbalance is present as SQUATS seem to be having a conversation across a room, telling a joke, or just exclaiming “SQUAT” repeatedly as the viewer is witness to something they don’t understand but might feel inclined to smile about. Just knowing the fact that you have thought about the word SQUAT more than 5 times in the last few minutes makes their energy grow.
With every presentation of the SQUAT series, I like to tell another origin story for their inception. In the state of Florida, this is their story:
Walking through the bogs and swamps deep in the heart of old Florida, I came across a peculiar patch of wet soil. There, springing forth from the detritus of the underbelly of a dead log stood a tall and slender object. Almost a creature. I knew nothing of what it was as the surface and shape were almost alien to my normal senses, but a faint sound pulled me from my stupors. The sound of an awkward voice muttering the word “Squat”. Quietly and repeatedly the word echoed from the general direction of the colorful being and before I realized it, the word came from a different direction… then another. As I turned to notice several more of the unnerving creatures almost growing around me, the word “Squat” grew almost exponentially from timid voices, disembodied but definitely surrounding me. “Squat…Squat…Squat”.
