I am interested in how money and economics define our society. Each day, we participate in a series of transactions, yet we rarely question how and why money works. Our economic system is based on our faith that our government can maintain the value of its currency. Economic collapses, such as the recent collapse in Argentina highlight the ephemeral quality of money. When people say they want money, what they really want is what they can buy with money; money itself is a non-object. For this reason, I am interested in treating money as an object, and altering its value to question the faith that supports the system. Small Change and Two-Bit Brooch both examine value by altering money. My most recent work, Small Change Project, is questioning value while at the same time bringing the artwork out of the gallery in an attempt to free it from the economic constraints and assumptions of the art institution.

Money is also a part of art, but most people consider art "purer" than everyday life. Still, artists have to purchase supplies, pay for rent, and make ends meet. Art is bought and sold every day, and money can determine what kinds of art get attention and which artists can continue to make art. Economics play a much bigger role than most people realize, not just in art, but also in all parts of our culture. I am interested in how we define the value of art. My personal struggles with poverty versus the drive to make art are both issues addressed in One Month's Rent and In Memory of Standing Up to the Man.

The way wealth defines and stratifies our society is another concern of mine. Wealth defines access to food, shelter, clothing, leisure, and almost everything else in the world, including art. Cuts in art education and public art programs have taken art out of the daily lives of most people. I am interested in exploring ways that art can be taken out of the traditional settings (museums, galleries) and work directly with the public. I created the Political Lapel Pin series to address this issue by making art that can be worn, taken out of the gallery setting where it can create dialogue in everyday life. I often use humor and sarcasm in my work to disarm my audience and start conversations.