Sanctum brought together a collection of international artists to present work in conversation around the concept of genetic memory. I curated the exhibition which included the work of Scott Vincent Campbell, Cordula Ditz, Beili Liu, Birthe Piontek, Jaime Zuverza and myself. Long fascinated with the idea that we inherit not only DNA but fear, habits, triumph, trauma and love, among other things from our ancestors, I gathered these artists to explore how this affects our collective cultural consciousness. While the notion of trauma being passed down from previous generations has been extensively studied, I believe there is a missed opportunity to expand upon these other attributes. The idea that all of our actions and experiences affect a greater expanse of the human experience is important to consider with regards to our daily behaviors and future legacy. Are we temporary caretakers of a longer lineage of archetypal behavior? A unique living combination of elements from pieces of our ancestors? Hailing from diverse practices and working in video, installation, photography, painting and sculpture, this group of artists from Texas, Vancouver, Detroit and Hamburg, Germany created work to explore this concept. The exhibition included an excerpt from my latest film TMI, which I filmed this past summer in Detroit. I used the resulting collaborative conversation about inherited memory to inspire the final productions of the film in this coming year. 2019

This was a conceptual, epic group show of visual art, installation and performance that Sean Gaulager from Co-Lab Projects and I curated at the now defunct DEMO Gallery. Over 600 square feet and with over 60 artists from Texas, New York, Detroit, California, Washington and Tennessee took part in this expansive exhibition about death and transformation. This interactive show addressed issues of grief, loss, mortality, architecture and urban development and was staged in a building slated for demolition. My concept for this show was to approach death as a positive agent of change and also to unpack the conversation between our lack of death rituals in our culture to the expansion of urbanism and widespread gentrification that accompanies that with little recognition for the energy of place. The installations, performances, salon and public programs were widespread, diverse, engaging, provocative and widely loved. See the catalogue PDF for samples of the work and a complete list of artists.

2017

Curated around the idea of alchemy, Erin Cunningham, Emmy Laursen, ICOSA and I designed a group show of Austin artists whose work explores a sense of mysticism, teleportation, clairvoyance and the magic of metallurgy. Shown in conversation with Erin and my show these, our precious scars, this group of work examined change as a positive force and one that could yield bigger discoveries and treasures, as with an alchemical practice. Pump Project closed shortly after this show with the sale of this beloved space. This exhibition affirms the strength of the art community to persevere in the face of displacement and gild the seeds of future endeavors. Participating artists included: Steve Brudniak, Lisette Chavez, Rachelle Diaz, Aaron Flynn, Mai Gutierrez, Sarah Hirneisen, Andrea Faye Hyland and Emily Cayton, Jieun Beth Kim, TJ Lemanski, Kyle Nutter, Amy Scofield, Prakash Spex, Wes Thompson, Bruce Lee Webb and Sally Weber.

2018

Curated by myself and Jade Walker from the Austin Art Alliance, this group show for the EAST Austin studio tour showcased work from all 20 of the artist-members of the group in consideration of the topics of Utopia and Dystopia. This collection of work explored these themes in various states of extremes and a wide range of interpretations and media including sculpture, drawing, photography, painting, printmaking, installation and video.

2017

Curated by myself, Cynthia Mitchell and the I, Daughter of Kong Center for Research, this group show at the old Allen Street Co-Lab space was an amazing amalgam of work. Based on the found film fragment that showed a creature, half ape and half woman, this center has been collecting and compiling evidence and research from the collective unconscious. This exhibition focused on the cults and sects that emulate and worship IDOK and the various theories that form as a result.

Contributors included: Lara Allen, Skye Ashbrook, Marian Barber, Jeffrey Beebe, Emily Cayton, Wendy Farina, Colette Gaiter, Sarah Glanville, Wayne Grim, Billy Beasty, Katelena Hernandez, Amy Hicks, Steve Jones, Alexis Karl, Kurt Keppler, Abigail King, Kristin Lucas, Colin McIntyre, Cynthia Mitchell, Moira Murdock, Robyn O’Neil, Jamie Panzer, Sandi Petrie, Marijana Riminick, Jovi Schnell, Carrie Mae Smith, Phoebe Tooke, Anjali Sundaram, Alyssa Taylor Wendt, Jade Walker, Bruce Lee Webb and Caroline Wright.

2014