The Sun, the Moon and Monkeys

"Play and playfulness are core elements in my work—they allow me to address serious concepts while remaining palatable and engaging. Even my chosen mediums reflect my affinity for play: I often incorporate various deconstructed artifacts of childhood (bouncy balls, balloons, toy capsules) while working with a variety of expressions, including interactivity, light and invasiveness. Political themes recur frequently in my thinking, since they are so relevant to my life and the struggles I’ve witnessed or experienced. I am drawn to such topics as pregnancy, abortion, social pressures, body image, physical touch, and uncomfortable moments. However varied the themes, my work always comes back to utilizing play and playfulness to engage the viewer." — Thea Rae