About Zoe
I am a recent graduate from the printmaking BFA program at the University of Iowa. My art practice is a diverse exploration of my identities, thoughts, and fears.
Art means something different to each person to whom it means anything. Art is protest, it is retreat, it is safety or discomfort. For me, art allows self-expression in a way that words can’t. Making something visual conveys a more specific articulation than anything I can express verbally, and yet it allows for many interpretations. Perhaps it is simply that words aren’t my strong suit.
I drew pictures as a child, as many children do, but my grandmother encouraged and amazed me the most. Her passion for scrapbooking and crafting inspired, in part, my exploration of the line between “craft” and “art” – one that all too often falls between gendered categories.
About Hapless Handmade
Hapless Handmade is Zoe’s wearable art project, consisting mostly of jewelry and some textile designs. It is currently housed on this portfolio site alongside traditional artworks, but in the future it may have its own home, depending on how 2021 pans out.
Jewelry-making has always been an interest, though it wasn’t an area of study in school. Decorating one’s body can be a declaration of self-love and understanding. I believe that buying pieces that are unique, small batch, handmade, vintage, etc. are not only more sustainable than the mass-produced stuff, but also give a person more character.
Hapless Handmade aims to be inclusive in its practices. If a piece is almost perfect for you but needs an accommodation, such as a chain extender, please reach out to me and I will let you know what I can do. I am also happy to create custom pieces based on a pre-existing piece from my collection or potentially one that we invent together.
Cheers!
My Resume
