My work explores the concept of recycling as a creative approach. Recycling is a process of continuous decomposition and renewal that is reflected by individual people as well as collective societies. My sculptures are portraits of those material histories. By transforming trash and discards into new compositions, I discover the larger context of their creation and consumption, while creating new value and purpose within them. Repurposing refuse is an emotional act that represents the creation of worth from abandonment. Rather than through a linear process of production, my work develops organically over many iterations. I employ manual methods informed by my training as a ceramicist to reimagine artificial materials like plastic, fabric, foam, and paper. The juxtaposition between synthetic materials and manual processes highlights individual presence within mass production.