In my artistic practice recently I have been exploring the intersection of metal and wood. In these pieces, I process my own life as a Latino transgender man in the south and the difficulties that arise from the world surrounding my identity. I use the long process of carving wood and bending steel with a variety of hand and powertools as time to reflect on life and process unfortunate or hard situations, equating the challenges of crafting the piece with the difficulties of life. Utilizing found wood and scrap yard metal, I transform these otherwise unwanted materials into objects of fascination and fun, restoring them and myself in the process. I also explore these concepts through other sculptural materials like metal casting with the goal to affirm incredibly important aspects of my existence in bodies that will last longer than my fleshy form. I took to foraging White Tail Deer bones and making life casts of my hands to form homes for my desire to be seen and understood in this identity. Through both ways of thought I seek to resolve myself, the materials, and connect with the people who will see them.

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