My journey with word retrieval issues has been a constant challenge, one that shapes how I experience the world and express myself. This learning exceptionalism means that I often struggle to recall or recover words, creating significant barriers in the standardized education system. Art has become my sole means of self-expression, a way for me to demonstrate that I am not “stupid” - both to myself and to others. Much of my growth has stemmed from the support of speech therapy sessions, which have been pivotal in helping me navigate these challenges.
Upon completing speech therapy in elementary school, I received an art box as a reward for my progress. To this day, that box remains untouched, symbolizing the most meaningful gift I’ve ever received. It represents the hard-won progress I’ve made.
In my work, I use text to convey the jumbled sensation of struggling to find words from my own memory. Creating an installation full of text was not an easy decision, but it became a way for me to reclaim control. Using mixed media --- blurry stamps, vellum, and spray paint - my work explores the effects of language processing disorders on communication and identity.
