The Fort

The Fort is but a temporary shelter which frames the real “art” on the inside. When I was growing up, my father would take me around different neighborhoods all over northeast Louisiana with him evangelizing to anyone who would listen or open their door to him. He spoke the most simplified and natural language of love to prisoners, family, friends, and strangers alike. My father taught me from a very young age that we were born for love; we were made to love and to be loved- it is what we all crave and need to survive.

The Fort was inspired by the many forts I built with friends and cousins growing up. They serve as a place of rest and intimate fellowship with those we love. I feel I am truly myself when I embrace the inner, child-like parts of me which have remained throughout the years. These traits are the building blocks of who I am today. I realized that whenever I have abandoned these traits, I strayed from the person I was made to be, and in turn did not love myself or others. This experiential work welcomes viewers of any interest and was inspired by John 13:5-20. I felt spiritually led to create this work to show simple love to others (and in turn to myself) on both a personal and spiritual level. The Fort also allowed me another opportunity to rediscover the building blocks of my childhood.

My intention with this work was to reveal my true self to others on a personal level, to share commonalities between humans, and most importantly to remind myself and others to love as we are loved.

THEMES + OTHER INSPIRATIONS

• The Crucifixtion
• The Holy Spirit + power of prayer
• Humility
• Angels + the unseen
• Simplification of language