Drive Through Art Show Virtual Tour

"Mysellation" by Kumiko Highley
Digital Image 12”x12” printed

Artist Statement

This session was especially critical in acknowledging to myself how important Tuesday evenings with my PV peeps truly is. Due to the current situation we were able to meet through Zoom instead of in person. I look forward to and cherish the connection time I get to spend with fellow mentors and students. I am inspired by Haskell’s humor, Ella’s ingenuity, Sam’s curiosity, Rachel’s intelligence and Abby’s kindness. The sculpture area would not be possible without God working through Shane and the rest of the PV mentors.

This piece is an attempt to tell a story using animals to represent the different stages of my life. They are made into a pattern that is not a pattern and requires the viewer to look closer to what is initially seen.

Fireflies remind me of my childhood. I would run around on many hot Iowa summers, amazed at the light they would bring and be curious to how it was possible. With the fireflies flashing and the stars in the sky I knew there was something greater than myself that resided inside me.

Frogs are the part of my life when I changed from the worries of a child to those of a young adult and soon a mother. I went from the little pool of a small town to that of the University. My roommates introduced me to Campus Crusade to Christ and dragged me out to expose me to different people spreading the gospel.

Fish were the opportunity for me to do a graduate program and expand my horizons. I studied Poecillia latipinnia for many years day and night. I single mommed, worked multiple part-time jobs while going to school with the mentality to ‘just keep swimming.’

Nuthatch is the version of a more mature self. I am working on my nest and attempting to be resourceful with opportunities that become open to me.