Escape and Evolve is a collection of prints and drawings tracing my past-year’s journey of introspection, self-discovery, and pursuit towards transcending self-imposed barriers. Creating art has always been my personal outlet for processing struggles and communicating my inner monologue, especially when unable to synthesize my thoughts into words. Escape and Evolve exhibits the complicated nature of my ever-changing relationship with myself, illustrating moments of desolation and seemingly inescapable stagnation, yet maintains a looming sense of hope, aspiration, and trust in the future. These works exist in what I see as my “in-between state” - the liminal period before true transformation, feeling as though at a crossroads between committing to change or continuing to engage with the forces holding me back. With Escape and Evolve I display my fight through internal conflict and yearning for structure, balance, and growth.

As an artist, printmaking is where my true passion lies. Over the past three years, I have become progressively entranced by the medium and its endless possibilities. I choose to work primarily with traditional stone lithography, drawn to its technically complex and procedural nature that is equally challenging, frustrating, and rewarding. Working with this craft requires me to practice trust, resilience, and adaptability in my making process, forcing me to accept my failures and persist nonetheless. These core features of printmaking appropriately mirror the subject matter of Escape and Evolve, as both emphasize the necessity of trusting the process and persevering.