“Veneration of Loss”

“Veneration of Loss” is a conceptual artwork series representing lost lives to murder over a 13 years period in Chattanooga Tennessee. The project seeks to address how art can awake the lost souls of the neglected, the victimized, and the perpetrators, who the artist believes loses all or part of their lives leaving a hole in the spirit of their families and cultures. It's not meant to be just a reflection of sorrow but one of remembrance and respect for the lives once lived. Death by neglect has forever impacted the culture and lives of many residents, and in many cases, these individuals become the perpetrators in their future lives. Veneration of Loss hopes to evoke a community-wide desire to work together to create solutions that address the destructive cycle of murder, so the importance of maintaining a sense of safety and compassion can be influenced and not just simply forgotten.