Projects

Got Thirst?

In this piece, “Got Thirst” I channel my analytical mindset into art to explore the intersection of societal issues and corporate ethics, with a focus on environmental justice. My recent piece, “Got Thirst?” is inspired by the controversial statement from Nestlé’s former CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathe on water privatization, juxtaposes stark desert imagery with corporate branding to critique the commodification of a fundamental human right. Through this work, I aim to provoke thought on the consequences of prioritizing profit over access to water, using visual metaphors like skeletal figures and a branded waterfall to highlight the dystopian reality faced by those denied this essential resource. My creative process draws on my technical background with a passion for dystopian storytelling, drawing from both my academic research skills and personal experiences as a hobbyist painter of Warhammer 40k miniatures. I sought to create a narrative that challenges viewers to reconsider the ethics of water as a market good. This piece reflects my broader artistic mission to call out corporate corruption and spark dialogue on systemic inequalities & abuse of rights, encouraging audiences to question the narratives pushed by powerful entities and advocate for a more equitable world.

Engineering Slander

My work, a one-minute video titled Engineering Slander, explores the dynamics of internet meme culture as a medium for social commentary and collective humor. By employing the rapid, fragmented editing style characteristic of slander memes the piece investigates how humor, often laced with irony and exaggeration, serves as a tool for critiquing societal behaviors and stereotypes in the path to getting an engineering degree. Through bold text overlays and royalty-free music, the video captures the ephemeral yet impactful nature of memes, inviting viewers to reflect on their own journey.

This exploration is informed by Danah Boyd’s analysis of networked publics, which
highlights how digital platforms amplify participatory culture and enable rapid, communal meaning-making (Boyd, 2014). My work attempts to harness this participatory energy, using the slander meme format to provoke laughter while towing the line between the boundaries between critique and entertainment. By presenting this piece I challenge audiences to reconsider the artistic potential of internet ephemera, recognizing memes as both cultural artifacts and vehicles for critical engagement.

Thanks for watching!

References
[1] Boyd, Danah. It’s Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens. Yale University
Press, 2014

OBEY

Ezine Download

In my Ezine project, Obey, I explore the pervasive farce of consumerism and the oppressive mechanisms of governmental authority that perpetuate conflict and war. Through the repurposing of stark, dystopian imagery I challenge the viewer to confront the commodification of obedience and the cyclical nature of societal control. The piece draws inspiration from historical and contemporary critiques of consumer culture, emphasizing how governments exploit economic systems to suppress individual agency, often leading to global unrest and violence. My intent is to provoke a critical reflection on the cost of blind conformity, urging the audience to question the narratives fed through media and authority by juxtaposition of propaganda from real world dictatorships and mass graves they produced.

This work is informed by the critical framework of John Kenneth Galbraith’s The Affluent Society (1958), which examines how modern economies prioritize production and consumption over genuine human needs, often at the expense of social equity and peace. Galbraith’s analysis of the “dependence effect” where consumer desires are manufactured by the very systems that profit from them resonates deeply with the themes of Obey, as I aim to expose how such dynamics enable governments to maintain power and justify militaristic agendas. By blending visual satire with socio-political commentary, my Ezine serves as a call to resist the seductive yet destructive forces of consumerism and authoritarianism.

Thank you for giving it a look.

Allulose Raspberry Cheesecake

Allulose is a rare sugar I came across while working on creating delicious sugarless foods with a good friend that mimic the real experience as much as possible. Allulose possesses 70% the sweetness of sugar and has a similar molecular structure; As such it makes a great replacement for sugar without sacrificing much. Allulose is not processed by the human body and has no impact on your blood sugar levels when consumed, my hope is to create foods that people addicted to sugar can eat that won’t kill them to assist in weight loss or diabetes control. This Allulose Raspberry Cheesecake has a ground pecan-butter crust, which also has a low glycemic impact on the body. Raspberries were also chosen specifically for their unique sugar profile which also has a negligible glycemic impact on humans. The resulting combination of natural sweetness and allulose delivers a real cheesecake without the bloat and unhealthy sugars. Obviously this is a fat packed meal- if you eat a lot of carbohydrates you’ll have to exercise a little to burn this off. I’m partial to the ketogenic diet personally so this design fits in with that aspect of my lifestyle; If you’re looking for a great real item that fits the diet, I suggest trying your hand at cheesecaking. I lost 140 lbs using keto and exercise.

Cannabis Extraction

I never expected cannabis extraction to be a part of my life but thanks to a great friend of mine I was given the opportunity to work in the industry. I served as the processing license administrator and assistant to the lab manager for a cannabis production company for three years, During that time I learned an incredible amount about cannabis, CO2 extraction, and preventative maintenance. There was never a boring day in this world and I got to meet many amazing people. All of it is listed in my skill and experience page but here are some of the things that I would consider highlights:

Performed experiments to determine and establish optimal process parameters for maximising terpene and THC-A yields from cannabis material using Apeks supercritical CO2 extractors.
Performed C02 extractions using 5L Apeks Supercritical Botanical Extraction Units.
Collected data from extractions performed by crew and organized results in spreadsheets for upper management.
Utilize 5L laboratory Rotary Evaporator for winterization and other processes.
Created shatter using C02 extracts.
Recovered 80% of product lost in an accidental spill– worth 40K$.
Rebuilt and restored three vacuum pumps.
Performed total valve rebuilds on two Apeks 5 L Supercritical CO2 Extractors preventing the company from having to purchase new valves saving 20K$.
Performed Haskel pump rebuild operation in-house on Apeks CO2 Extractors saving the company eight weeks of production time and 3,200$ per year.
Designed and tested an experimental process to remove pesticides from contaminated product with successful results.

Tai Chi & Chinese Martial Arts

In 2016 I began training under Sifu David Leung and his instructors at Leung Martial Arts. While I was training there I learned a variation of Shaolin Five Animal Kung Fu called Black Dragon from another Master, Sifu Les Clements, who taught me my favorite form to practice: Snake broadsword and sword passing techniques where you practice a deft change between the hands, sometimes switching hands while executing an attack. I trained under Wing Chun instructor Paul, (that’s all I knew him as) a tough but solid teacher for about a year and a half before I got hooked on Tai Chi and began training under Sifu David’s assistant, P.K. Loi, who ended up being my favorite of all despite her ribbing me when I first began training at the school. Wing Chun is great for striking, trapping people, and unleashing force in the most efficient paths and angles but Tai Chi is something anyone’s health can benefit from. Tai Chi is pretty deep but essentially the slow and active movements train you to have exceptional balance, posture, and movement.

When I began training I was a lot heavier and it was hard on me; I toughed it out and as I got stronger and lost weight I experienced an enhancement to my mobility which made training easier. Through my training and the connections Sifu David Leung provided I was able to meet and train with many masters. In the picture above in which I’m standing in a studio, I’m not standing with David Leung but world renowned Wan Kam Leung, a Wing Chun master who came to train our group- it was a great learning opportunity. The black and white photo on the right is Sifu David Leung, If you ever make it out to train with him tell him I said hello. Once this virus business is put to rest I look forward to training together (in person) with my fellow martial artists once again.