Be I salt and water and flesh

Considering the ecology of Salt Marshes and tidal estuaries, I am exploring the connections of this unique habitat to the experiences of femme-aligned people; because many species adapting to conditions of high salinity and water density, often drained and altered into a landscape for commodity, I make connections to the commodifying and loss of agency in the bodies of femme people. I am also interested in the specific functions of the organisms found in the Salt Marsh, the biomimicry that the sculptural, human-like figures participate in, the resilience of the organisms, and the power brought through their processes in supporting self in place. Specifically, the Cord Grasses support their coastline, filtering toxins out of water, similar to oyster shells' filtration process, and their sharp, protective shell that acts as a weapon. My material usage is almost solely organic, using wood, Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast, charcoal, and discarded bivalves. This material usage speaks for body-making, as each material holds a history of scarring, cracking, and bacterial growth. By allowing the checking of the wood to take form without intervention, I refer to self-harm as the body of wood shifts from its deprivation. These materials also refer to the grotesque or considered grotesque in the landscapes and places I refer to; I am interested in the relationship between human bodies, myself, and these places. Considering rot, fermentation, and contamination– the landscape of the marsh contends with this in its defining self, as do bodies with experiences held in patriarchy.