This series is about a uniquely American tragedy: guns are the number 1 killer of kids.

Specifically, this installation of assemblages focuses on school shootings and was exhibited at the Kansas City Artist Coalition in 2023.

The work emerged on its own, like all my sculptures.  Re-combining objects I find on the street or in thrift stores according to my instincts.

Anyway, strange pieces started to emerge . . . normally vibrant colors are a big part of my work, but these new works were black, white & brown.

Mostly my work is subversive but optimistic.  These new works are full of fear.

After producing 3 or 4 of these pieces it occurred to me that I was channeling the fear of children.  Being attacked.  Gunned down.  In school.  There’s a steady drumbeat of it.

So the work itself is made from shot-up metal – car parts, mailboxes, signs, appliances – ubiquitous litter in rural America.  Very graphic evidence of the destructive power of guns.

Red lights flicker inside some of the sculptures.  And there’s an NRA knapsack full of 100 dollar bills, and memorials for the 21 people (19 children & 2 teachers) gunned down in Uvalde by an 18-year-old.

Inaction by our elected officials is shameful.

I have links to all sorts of stats, charts, and articles about gun policy on Instagram for this show @report_to_homeroom.  Special thanks to researcher David Riedman and his work on the School Shooting Database.  Get the facts at k12ssdb.org

The links are accessible by clicking on the link tree URL on that Instagram site or scanning this QR code