(they/them)
I am a visual artist living on the stolen lands of the Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), and Tsleil-Waututh (səlilwətaɬ) Nations as an uninvited settler, colonially known as "Vancouver". I am also a human geography student, a raging lesbian, a mixed Filipinx... I grew up in Joyce-Collingwood and moved to Mission as a teen. I began learning to hand poke tattoo in 2022, and I'm fortunate it's been my job ever since. What else to include in my introductory statements? Now, I live in East Vancouver with my partner Jiayi who I adore. It would not be accurate to say only; "I am grateful to live, work and play on these lands", though I am. Everything in my life is contextualized by settler colonialism. The ongoing systemic violence, physical and cultural genocides against Indigenous peoples are all relevant when speaking on who I am, because that includes why I am here and under what circumstances. For the teachings of Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh knowledge keepers, I am deeply grateful. Beyond the art and work I do for money, I try to prioritize making my hands available to work in the interests of the collective, in ways I will continue to learn.