Homebody (Self-Portrait), 2024. Created for the Montgomery Museum of Art’s exhibit “Creativity Enclosed: Reusing Historic Safe Deposit Boxes”

When considering a small enclosed space, my mind went to my home and the way I occupy space in it. I’ve lived in a series of small apartments over the past five years and tend to have a similar set up in each of them: a bookshelf, an armchair, and my type case. Every item represented in this room box is not just a representation of a real thing I own but also a symbol of my daily routines and interests. While I am an avid reader, I’m also a bookbinder who collects handmade zines and artist books, which is represented by the bookshelf. I practically live in my armchair. It’s where I spend hours sipping coffee, drawing on my tablet, and listening to podcasts. On my wall is an antique type case where I display tchotchkes I collect on outings with friends. The record player sitting next to the typewriter is meant to represent me and my partner, who are now cohabitating in the space together. He appears in the photos on the bulletin board opposite the records on the wall, which are facsimiles of a few of my favorite albums. This is not an exact replica of my room but rather a composite of the things that make a space feel like home to me.