In our fast-paced world, productivity is the constant goal. However, because of this drive to produce, the idea of rest has become undervalued and misconstrued. In my work, I seek to explore memory and place in the context of rest, and in doing so, remind others of the difference between rest and distraction. I do not refer to physical rest, but to the rest we seek when burned out or when feeling overwhelmed. Whether by TV shows or social media, there is a gravitation toward escapism through technology that is temporarily numbing, but which often leads to more fatigue and frustration afterwards. In my paintings, I depict places of rest that involve a connection with the world instead of a removal from it. It is more often through these moments of being fully present and engaged with one’s senses that it is possible to find the rest we seek in mindless entertainment. This is the kind of rest that reminds us of the beauty of being human.
