Empathy Hierarchy, Riley Bratzler, Linocut
Artist Statement
“Empathy Hierarchy” is the physical manifestation of the first year into Riley’s grief journey. On July 31, 2022 her brother was killed, forever changing the course of her life. Drawing inspiration from historical alchemy manuscripts, this body of work plays with the idea of anthropomorphic deities as messengers of the lessons she has learned in coping with her loss. Though her work is full of symbolism specific to her late brother, she hopes that the viewer may connect to their meaning within their own lives and the paths of healing we must all walk on.