When I relocated to Memphis, I was surprised to discover such a vibrant underground art community in the South End of downtown. It was filled with artists, makers, and art enthusiasts sharing their creative talents, from pottery and metalworking to textiles and painting. Coming from an art and design background, I was immediately inspired and eager to become part of this community. It also gave me a sense of urgency to finally showcase my own textile artwork.

Picking up where I left off as an undergraduate interior design student, I wanted to enter the local art scene with a topic that has always been close to my heart. I was interested in encouraging a celebration of the garments and textiles that connect us while opening a conversation about how today's fashion industry often fails to accommodate and celebrate diverse bodies.

This led to my first gallery exhibition, Mend.2, a body of work exploring the concept of "mending" as both a physical and metaphorical act. The exhibition sought to mend our perspectives, habits, and assumptions about fast fashion through a series of conceptual, handmade tactile installations. Each immersive zone explored issues such as inclusive sizing, custom clothing, overconsumption, and the societal pressures surrounding fashion and body image.

Mend.2 invited visitors to immerse themselves in a celebration of the deeply personal relationship we share with our textiles. The exhibition explored the beauty and transformative power found in mending and stitching, while highlighting shortcomings within today's retail clothing industry. Ultimately, the work challenged non-inclusive fashion practices and encouraged viewers to see clothing not as disposable commodities, but as meaningful objects worthy of care, repair, and longevity.