Breaking Lines (Exhibition), Makers Gallery, Rochester, NY
2017 | Photograph, Mixed Media, Illustration, Collage | Themes of disruption and harmony, artistic expression

This exhibition brought together the work of Sarah Keane, known as @kneeslappa, and myself in a dynamic visual dialogue. Sarah’s pieces, graceful illustrations and delicate paintings created with splatter techniques, radiated spontaneity and softness. In contrast, I presented a large-scale collage mural, twenty feet wide by ten feet tall, built with raw, gritty wheatpaste and composed of iconic images drawn from my own archive. It was bold, physical, and unapologetic, a visual statement meant to fill the space with energy.

The show’s theme, “Breaking Lines,” explored both disruption and harmony, how opposing forces of boldness and finesse can coexist. Though our styles differ dramatically, together they formed a powerful conversation about movement, contrast, and creative risk.

Hosted by one of Rochester’s most respected contemporary art galleries, the exhibition drew a wide audience of artists, critics, collectors, and community members. The response reached far beyond Rochester, sparking dialogue about process, form, and collaboration.

Every aspect of the show was documented, including installation views, process images, and audience engagement. The gallery shared the work on its website and across social media platforms. The exhibition also received peer feedback from artists, professors, and curators, whose thoughtful critiques reinforced its impact and relevance.

At its core, this project is about the evolution of contemporary art, about tension and balance, technique and intuition, individuality and collaboration. It demonstrates how two distinct voices can collide and, in that collision, create something larger—an expanded vision of what art can be and how it can connect people.