"LIFT” reimagines the classic claw machine as a symbol of support and solidarity. A row of teddy bears, hand-in-hand, rise together, emphasizing the power of connection and community. As a universal symbol of love and care, the teddy bear connects culture, gender, and generation to represent the importance of lifting each other up. I invite passersby to reflect on how we, like the bears, are all interconnected. The claw, often seen as a tool of chance or individual achievement, here becomes a metaphor for collective action. It is not just one bear being chosen, but the entire line being raised by each individual choosing to lift the next.

“LIFT” will be on exhibit at Old City Publishing, 628 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19123 January 14th - April 22nd, 2025.