For me, creating art is a deeply personal journey into the heart of emotion. I find myself drawn into the world of creation by the malleable nature of clay, whether shaping it by hand or on the pottery wheel, I use it to explore the profound impact of fleeting moments. The emotions that I experience come in intense flashes, joy, sorrow, fear and can be moments that pass quickly yet leave a lasting imprint. This is especially true when it comes to the lingering shadow of trauma. Through my work, I aim to "freeze" these moments in time, transforming raw feeling into sculptural works. It is my way of grappling with the invisible, giving the internal and external a tangible permanence. My installations become a visual narrative, weaving together my personal experiences and the unreliable nature of memory. The clay itself embodies the raw, foundational emotions, it is pliable and vulnerable, much like our initial exposures and responses in life. When I incorporate fibrous materials, I am representing the delicate threads of memory and connection, capable of both mending and tangling. The inclusion of metal speaks to resilience and strength, the scaffolding we build around ourselves. This deliberate mix is not just about aesthetics; it is about creating a rich dialogue within each piece. These material relationships allow me to express the intricate interplay of strength, fear, and fragility that resides within my story. The magic of installation, for me, lies in the act of recontextualizing the elements I have brought into existence. Each space that I encounter offers a unique challenge, prompting me to adapt and evolve the work to fit its new surroundings and current narrative. This constant process of evolution is vital, not just for my artistic growth, but for the life of the artwork itself. It is a powerful reminder that, like us, art must continue to transform in a fickle landscape of human experience and the continuous journey towards comprehension. -Bri Kinard