Walls Around Her uses the actions of building and deconstruction to reflect upon the fragmentation of self through my own struggle between the necessity and fear of meaningful connections. Both the hand-woven cloth and highly detailed drawing that it covers were once whole pieces: if the dispersed elements were pulled back to the center the drawing would reveal itself as an abstracted map of my home. The steel bars piercing many of the elements seem to fix their movement in an effort of protection or imprisonment, but also make their coming back together impossible. The barriers extend into space and keep the viewer from coming too close, creating a conflicting message with the openings in the cloth, which invite intimate inspection. Though the personal meaning is intentionally ambiguous, I hope to touch the viewer through emotional familiarity or recognition, allowing them space to insert their own story where mine is hidden.