Two Births and The Afterlife
There is a death with every birth. When giving birth to a child, the birthing person welcomes a new version of themselves, and instantly, their former identity dies. This instant death was something I was not prepared for. I watched my heart beat outside my chest with a joy that illuminated every fiber of my being. While also feeling parts of me grow colorless, untouchable, and unresponsive to this new joy.
The months after giving birth proved to be a difficult transition. There is a child, my child, that commands nurturing while also finding my footing with Mother's new identity and interacting with a world that does not recognize or respect my new position, making the days overwhelming and difficult.
But with my child's help, I am beginning to embrace the second birth. She requires only my presence—a presence without armor. With honor and gratitude, I put to rest those former selves and thank them for making way for the new. In this second life, this second chance, I am free.
This work explores these emotions through abstraction, minimal line-making, saturated color, and musical composition. In New Orleans, we celebrate the dead, and with this work, I continue the tradition while looking forward to the new.
Exhibited at the George Washington Carver Museum in Austin, TX, January 11th - April 20th, 2024.
This was my first time working with musicians to create an accompaniment to my work. I wanted the show to be immersive in more than a visual way. I gave direction through musical examples and the statement for this series, and they created magic. I wanted to convey duality, darkness followed by light. I love stringed instruments, the fiddle/violin being my favorite.
My friend Jess Baldissero is also a new parent and an amazing fiddle player. She was kind enough to work with me; I'll forever be thankful.
Buffalo Nichols created the intro and outro with an enveloping ambiance. He also shares this new parenthood journey with me, making this song even more special.