The past couple of months has been a major readjustment for me post-grad school. I have radically rested, reflected, investigated, and slowly but consistently started to make again. This month, two pieces from Wat Leff series were acquired by the University of Texas at Austin, African and African Diaspora Studies through the Art Galleries at Black Studies.

𝘞𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘧 #1 , 2022, Baby clothes, diapers, Trader Joe’s avocado mesh, upholstery fabric scraps, mounted on linen, framed, 22.75 x 22.75 in.

𝘞𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘧 #5, 2022, Baby clothes, wipes, garlic mesh, cuties mandarin packaging, upholstery fabric scraps, mounted on linen, framed, 28.75 x 22.75 in.

This series of smaller framed works reuse the leftover scraps from my larger fabric compositions to create something new. Often, certain items are given to domestic workers by their employees, once they no longer want or need them. These handed-down possessions are given new use as the beneficiaries refresh and revive them for their own use. I titled this series Wat leff, also referencing the fact that these domestic laborers give nearly all of their energy, the best of themself, and existence over to those who they care for all day working. Often with little remaining in the day for themselves or their family. What has been gained and lost between the exchange with the care worker and the cared for?

Krystle