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'
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"