"Meek is the Warrior" reimagines the archetype of the warrior by deconstructing traditional notions of armor as a symbol of dominance, separation, and war. Grounded in feminist theory and inspired by bell hooks’ insight that “cultures of domination rely on fear in order to separate,” the project challenges the cultural narratives that equate strength with invulnerability and isolation.

At the heart of the work are bust sculptures created from chitosan—a biopolymer derived from insect exoskeletons—which I process through a DIY, wound-healing methodology. Insects, whose exoskeletons have historically inspired designs for robotics and armor, undergo metamorphosis, leaving behind fragile, fragmented shells. These discarded forms symbolize not only the shedding of outdated, oppressive structures but also the inherent vulnerability and strength in transformation. By repurposing these materials, I create armors that do not fortify separation but instead embody care, repair, and the possibility of growth through fragility.

The busts, molded from the torsos of friends and collaborators, become intimate representations of embodied experience. They are layered with histories—both material and emotional—resonating with personal and collective narratives of healing. These armors are not impenetrable shields but second skins, porous and imperfect, reflecting the human need for connection and interdependence.

This project situates itself within the feminist critique of patriarchal structures that weaponize fear and create hierarchies of power through division. Drawing from eco-feminist and post-humanist perspectives, Meek is the Warrior embraces a world where strength is found in care, resilience, and the willingness to be transformed. It rejects the binary of domination and submission, proposing instead a model of mutuality and healing.

Through this lens, the sculptures become metaphors for the possibility of rethinking the role of protection—not as a mechanism for separating oneself from the world but as a way to engage with it in all its complexities. They invite viewers to imagine an alternative warrior: one who wields care as their armor and recognizes vulnerability as the foundation of strength.

This work exists at the intersection of materiality, myth, and feminist philosophy, posing a provocative question: What does it mean to be a warrior in a world that desperately needs healing rather than conquest?