Soft & Loud was my second-ever solo show and my first banner-centric exhibition. In the 4 years since making my first banner, I had honed in on the craft and had begun to pursue banner-making more in my artistic practice. This was heavily influenced by trade union banners in the UK.

At the same time, I had been assisting ceramic artist Amanda Gentry in her Pilsen studio, and had made a body of slab ceramic wall-hangings, which were also exhibited in this show. For three nights, friends and strangers joined me at the Martin to share libations, make custom buttons, and beat the bitter winter chill in the small Humboldt Park gallery.