artist statement
haley zelda addams
artist, writer, collaborator
my work and practice centers around human ecology, to our inherent interconnectedness to one another. through the use of mixed media, words and language, care practices, education work, collaborative healing, and personal introspection, i continue to adventure deeper into myself, where instead of solititude i find the strings that tie me to my ancestors and neighbors, my friends and lovers, and to this beautiful earth we are privileged to be alive upon.
ABOUT
i was born in 1996 to a 17 year old mother and matriarchal southern cajun family. i grew my first branches and roots in longview, texas. i spent my childhood mostly confused, abused, and neglected, which deeply impacts and motivates much of my work.
i am a multi-gender trans person. i practice non-monogamy and anarchy in all of my interpersonal relationships. in addition to being texan and cajun, i am also mexican and indigenous, to tribes i cannot track because of the erasure of colonialism and white supremacy. i am disabled, as in, unable to function independently under capitalism.
PRACTICES
teaching —
education is a communal process. we each have something to teach and many, many things to learn. my teaching practice is rooted in my anti-colonial work, and my deep belief that all knowledge is a bridge to knowingness of each other.
creating —
creation is to be human, to be alive. when i stop creating, i die a tiny death inside myself each day. i create to express, to share, to connect, and to enjoy.
healing guide —
my healing practice exists to help my clients, people who have been abandoned by the therapeutic industry, live their most fulfilling and satisfying lives. Combining research from several therapy modalities and practices, as well as coaching and teaching techniques, i guide my clients through their healing process. Healing is something we can only do for ourselves, but i do my best to give my clents all the guidance and support they need to find recovery and peace.
care collaborator —
as a consultant collaborator i help clients learn how to provide and receive care with a trauma informed and abolitionist, anti-oppressive lens.
writer & philosopher —
poet, essayist, novelist, compulsive journaler. words are my way. writing is my primary thinking practice—the place i set aside feeling and lean into the wisdom of myself and my teachers, and the lessons we all can learn together with our words.
EDUCATION
Childhood: exploration, imagination, awe, observation, love
New York City: empathy, friendship, english writing, foundational philosophy, anti-racism, independence, binary politics, personal style and expression
East Texas: partnership, childhood development, teaching thesis, acrylics and watercolors, curation, artist management, event planning, disability justice, love politics, indigeneity, boundary setting, healing practice pt. 1
Southeast Michigan:
SKILLS
languages: english, spanish, ojibwe, ASL, portuguese (brasil), french