In Western culture, wandering (whether physical or mental) is often seen as purposeless and inefficient, suggesting a lack of ambition or direction. To wander, we are told, is to stray, to waste time, or to be lost—it is a behavior unbecoming of a productive citizen. From school to work to our personal lives, we are taught to set goals, plan carefully, and measure outcomes. Wandering, in this view, is seen as detrimental to progress.
But what if this perspective is wrong? What if wandering is not an unnecessary detour but an essential path? Far from frivolous, wandering can be a profound practice for understanding ourselves, others, and the world. It invites us to step outside rigid systems, embrace curiosity, and engage deeply with complexity.
In the studio, wandering means setting aside preconceived ideas, embracing uncertainty and remaining open to the unknown. It is not mere indulgence but a skill that transforms how one sees and creates. In this body of work, wandering serves as both method and subject, where the act of wandering—often accompanied by doubt and wrong turns—shapes each mark, gesture, and decision. These paintings explore what it means to let go of expectations and navigate the unexpected, becoming idiosyncratic records of the discoveries made along the way.
