Members Spring Exhibition 2026
I am excited to share that my piece, Conformity, will be on display as part of the 2026 Members' Spring Show at the Hopkins Center for the Arts.
This annual exhibition is a wonderful celebration of the local arts community, and I’m happy to include Conformity in this year's lineup. As part of my Experience through Insects series, this work explores the tension between maintaining one’s unique identity and the overwhelming pressure to fit into a societal "box."
In this work, I used ants to represent the ultimate hive-mind mentality. The composition was inspired by the way ants create bridges out of their own bodies; in my interpretation, these "conformed" ants are pulling at a central figure, attempting to absorb it into their identical collective.
Color as Symbolism: I chose to paint the surrounding ants in desaturated greys to represent a loss of originality and soul. In contrast, the central ant remains vibrant in oranges and yellows—a visual fight for individuality. The purple spiral background represents the internal conflict of this struggle, blending the sadness of feeling trapped with the anger of being pulled apart.
Mixed Media Elements: I enjoyed experimenting with texture in this piece, specifically using perforated cardboard to create green leaves. These represent the creative life and growth that can still sprout when we stay connected to our true nature.
The show runs from April 11 through May 16.
I will be attending the Opening Reception on Saturday, April 11, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. There is an awards presentation at 5:00 PM, and it’s always a great environment to meet other artists and art lovers. I would love to see you there!
