Entropy & Change uses Silicon Valley billboard ad campaign colorways to depict the classic California landscape and the urban wild life in action. I created “Default Cupertino” during my Summer of 2023 AiR at the Graduate Hotels Berkeley, in a program called the “Sweet Dreams Society” developed by my collector, and Lady Gaga’s producer, DJ White Shadow. “Default Cupertino” then became the centerpiece for a solo exhibition in April 2024 funded by the San Francisco Arts Commission Artist Grant.

This body of work explores themes of technology, valuation, and the changing nature of San Francisco as a bioregion. I am investigating these ideas through needlework and various rug tufting techniques, incorporating bird imagery and aesthetic elements lifted from tech companies’ billboard advertising campaigns. Entropy & Change portrays birds in landscapes that subtly reference the marketing visuals experienced by San Franciscans daily.

Having lived in San Francisco for most of my life, I have witnessed significant changes over the past four decades. These changes include shifts in economic diversity, which are connected to the evolving types of jobs in our community, and these shifts in turn impact our environment. This encompasses changes in our bird populations, which inspired the creation of this piece. It serves as both an intimate snapshot of the crows in my neighborhood and a reflection on the social changes in San Francisco.

My artwork uses a blend of textile techniques, each adding distinct visual and textural elements:

1. Rug Tufting Gun: The tufting gun punches yarn into fabric, covering large areas with dense, plush texture. This makes the pink sections bold and expansive, forming a soft, eye-catching backdrop.

2. Crewel Embroidery with Curved Rug Needles: Crewel embroidery typically involves detailed, textured wool stitching. By enlarging this style and using yarn and curved rug needles, the crows have a defined, raised appearance that stands out against the background, creating a sculptural effect.

3. Teddy Bear Eye Technique: This technique securely attaches rounded eyes, commonly used in plush toys. Adding these realistic eyes brings the birds to life, creating a focal point with a three-dimensional quality.

Together, these techniques create a layered, tactile piece where bold textures, detailed stitching, and life-like eyes all contribute to a dynamic, multi-textured composition.