I keep getting asked, “Why this? Why cake from movies? How did you even think of this?” whenever I tell people about Slices of Fiction. The stubborn creative part of me wanted to say, “Why does there have to be a why behind my ideas?” But that is not a good answer to this question.

Here is the deeper thought:

In a world where art and creativity are so easily being erased and replaced with AI and algorithms, I think it is important to make room for the creative side of ourselves that doesn't have to make sense. The ideas that exist that make us say, “Wouldn't it be cool if…?” This is what Slices of Fiction comes down to. It is fascinating to experince how a fictional story can create real feelings and emotions. The way we become attached and shaped based on the stories and food we experienced growing up with.

My show was made with the intention to appreciate some of the many forms of human expression: film, art, food, celebration, and human gathering. At its core, this exhibition is about finding ways to celebrate human authenticity through art — even when that authenticity feels unconventional, unexpected, or a little quirky.

I have always tried to find ways to embrace my inner child, especially as an adult living through such a tense time. We spend so much of our energy trying to prove to the world that we are serious, productive, disciplined, more polished, and more “adult”. We forget the things that made us feel alive in the first place — and how important it is to celebrate simply being alive in this very space. And what better way to reconnect with those parts of ourselves than through the things we all grew up with: film, art, and cake!

As you probably know, food shows up throughout my art in many ways. I believe it is one of the ultimate languages. No matter who you are, where you're from, or what your background is, there is almost always a way to gather around food, especially when cake is involved. Birthdays, weddings, holidays, celebrations, heartbreaks, milestones — it finds its way into our most important moments. And I don't know about you, but cake will ALWAYS bring me out of the house!!

Being an artist isn't just about creating. It's about how vulnerable and honest you have to be with yourself — and with the world — to create something that is genuinely yours. It's allowing yourself to be open-minded enough to find inspiration, having wholehearted faith in yourself to execute an idea, and then letting go of that vulnerability enough to allow people into your world. With Slices of Fiction, I spent much of the process wondering whether an exhibition centered around cake could be taken seriously. Eventually, I realized that question was exactly why I should execute this idea.

Underneath it all, I think I was really asking something much bigger: Can a playful idea still have an impact?  I think the answer is that it isn't about what others think when it comes to your ideas. It's about what they feel once they experience them. Art doesn't always have to be serious to be important. One of the most human things we can do is to do something simply because it brings us joy. Sometimes an idea doesn't need to solve a problem or make sense to everyone, or fit neatly into a category. It just needs to exist. So I am using this exhibition as a reason to gather. A reason to celebrate the arts in all of its forms. And a reason to be a little silly and let loose just a bit! I hope my show helps you start to embrace your creative side more, to be more open, and to create something just because you can! 


Thanks for being here,

Deja