Sticks and Stones, and Now Slang!

Over the past few months, I have been developing an extension of my original series, Sticks and Stones. The original work explored the names women call one another—behind each other's backs and sometimes directly to their faces. These derogatory labels often serve only to divide us rather than uplift and support one another. Many stem from feelings of envy, judgment, or insecurity, reinforcing barriers between women instead of fostering connection.

This new body of work takes a different approach. While it continues to examine the power of language, the series draws inspiration from playful slang and colloquial expressions used across generations, with a particular focus on Gen Z terminology. More lighthearted than the original series, these works celebrate language as a marker of identity, culture, and belonging, while also inviting younger audiences into the conversation.

Each word is meticulously hand-cut from Japanese paper and stitched directly onto found photographs. Rescued from thrift shops and vintage stores, these anonymous portraits are given a new context and contemporary voice through this intervention. By pairing these women with modern slang, I seek to breathe new life into their stories, creating unexpected connections across generations and highlighting the ways language continues to shape how we see ourselves and one another. Check them all out in the Sticks and Stones category in the works section of my website!