Americas Series

Benito Ocasio’s half-time Super Bowl performance in February 2026 emphasized unity, in a performance that reminded viewers that « America » can be the entire hemisphere from North to South America.

In this time of ecological and political crisis, the performance had an impact. I make work that represents bird species: I began to envision using these avian symbols to visualize the diversity and scope of this landmass of two continents —8,700 mi from north to south, with climate and ecology that range from Arctic tundra to tropical rainforest.

I’m using each country's or territory's national bird as the subject of a 45-panel installation. These bird symbols offer an opportunity to think about migration, political borders, boundaries, and surviving in a changing ecosystem. They allow me, like Benito, to stress connection rather than difference, while also celebrating the beauty of each individual bird.