We learn the names of those we never knew, 2024
Bronze delineated with graphite
The selected sculptures were included in the MFA thesis work, We learn the names of those we never knew, which is a site-specific installation exploring indigenous knowledge, relationship to land and technology through the lens of agriculture. Conceived as a way of remembering, the installation’s bronze sculptures are arranged in a configuration reminiscent of traditional companion planting formations native to Central and North America. Positioned outside of the confines of traditional exhibition spaces, viewers discover the work from an elevated perspective within the institution through a window on the second floor, inviting them to transcend the institutional boundaries, emerge from the building, and engage with the work outside. Reflecting on oral traditions, the sculptures serve as tangible manifestations of narratives recounting the historical agricultural technique known as The Three Sisters. Employing the method of oil sand casting and delineated with graphite, each bronze relief symbolizes the dual process of reclaiming materials and narratives, embodying a collective endeavor to preserve and celebrate indigenous knowledge systems. By invoking the metaphor of harvest, the installation underscores the collaborative nature of knowledge production, wherein each sculpture’s presence comes into being as a testament to the cumulative hands, energies, and collective traces of many.
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