In 1866, the botanist John Muir walked from Kentucky to Florida. He documented his journey in A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf, a travelog that was published after his death. Although Muir is celebrated by many modern day conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts, the text belies his racism and classism and also undermines the sketch of Muir as a man who found peace in the wilderness. As he treks through Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, he hassles locals into letting him sleep in their homes, he complains about the quality of the food, and at one point he needs his brother to wire him money. In the project, Mirror Muir, collaborator Katie Hargrave and I unpack the legacy of Muir through the lens of the John Muir Trail, a cobbled together series of paths through central Tennessee.

Stick or Snake
Inkjet on aluminum, PVC, spray paint, fasteners
2022
8' x 8' x 4'

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Inside Eureka
Ripstop, tent, cotton thread
2022
5' x 7' x 4'

Preserving
Cooler, mirror vinyl, inkjet on decal
2021
12" x 48" x 48"

cold-blooded Early Winters
Inkjet and vinyl on paper
2022
16" x 20"

Black dark Diamond
Inkjet and vinyl on paper
2022
16" x 20"