My artwork is centered around the spirit and its almost haunting effect when held in an image. In my portrait work I uncover these spirits and channel them through their appearance and my perception of them. I mainly use old archive photographs of Natives that were predominantly captured by white settlers. In a way I feel like I'm taking them back from capitalist means by amplifying their voice and presence.I'm drawn to a person whose gaze immediately tells me a story.Where at first glance we have an instant bond, and they're no longer strangers to me. I see my uncle, my baba, or my cousin.And based on the stories they tell, their images can be stylized, warped or ambiguous. Sometimes they want to be draped in color, or other times they want to hide their eyes. It depends on if they disclose their life story or want to withhold information.Proving to me that their spirit is still resilient and very much alive. Where they're still growing and adapting to the modern
