Using the narrative of my experience as a hurricane Katrina evacuee in Arkansas, my work examines the trauma of displacement within the nomadic tendencies of contemporary globalized society. I articulate my understanding of forced relocation and its psychological implications through the meticulous process of stitching textiles together with images from my childhood. By embedding collected fabric with embroidery and imagery from family photographs, I create artifacts as a means of preserving personal and collective history through domestic craft traditions and narrative. Merging fiber processes such as shibori and batik with embroidery and applique, I intertwine mementos to create sculptural forms capturing the upheaval of the storm.

This process recalls the textile traditions that permeated the atmosphere of my youth, from my grandmother’s tatting and crochet to the costuming heritage of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians that played a vital role each carnival season, preserving the culture and history of New Orleans.

In these creations I symbolize the collective memory of the flood and life in its wake.