Empathy

2026

Oil paint and gold leaf

24 × 20 in.

Empathy explores how my understanding of being sexualized while growing up has changed over time. Two flowers represent younger and present versions of myself, with shifts in color and imagery marking innocence, discomfort, growth, and understanding. A partially obscured letter becomes part of the background, while the gold-leaf words “My empathy will set you free” reflect my attempt to release anger without erasing what happened.