It’s easy to say that heritage is a niche interest in the States — generally reserved for retirees and history museum workers. As a people, we tend to look forward rather than back. But what if our heritage wasn’t about foreign ancestors we’ve never met, but rather the exciting cultures of our distant 21st century cousins? To me, heritage is something you can explore, collage, reclaim, remix, and make your own. I wasn’t born into the Dutch-American culture of West Michigan, but for this project I bit into banket, stroopwafel, and so much licorice for the first time. As I cooked chocolate sprinkles into buttered toast, I felt myself moving slightly closer to a culture I’ve never known. I liked the taste. And I can only imagine others will too when they take a bite.
An canvas armband worn as part of the curatorial project, Flex Gallery.
The work of this series has been exhibited twice: as part of the exhibition TL;DR at The Standard and at the nearby Family Fare grocery store in Grand Rapids, MI.
