Statement Western social ideals of identity and gender, and how these ideals influence the ways that we think, is the primary driving force behind my art practice. Since I draw on my internalization of these ideals, and how they manifest in my thinking and behavior, I often employ self-portraiture and humor as vehicles for social critique. Feminist and Queer Theory inform the perspectives that I take and the materials that I use when creating art. My work is also influenced by other social structures such as colonialism and class issues. I often employ materials that I think will expose or confound ideologies. For instance, clashing craft-like materials with material associated with “high art.” At times I make use of gender identified materials or colours as signifiers. In other work I paint text with blood on clothing. Other strategies that I use to expose or confound western ideologies include, inserting myself in a male role, miniaturizing the monument or monumentalizing something thing that is known to be small. Puzzling together theory, concept and appropriate materials gives me a challenging and rewarding art practice.