Tonya Whitney’s work during the 2022 SEABA artist in residence ended with an installation titled Pushing Buttons. This solo show explored the metaphorical and literal use of the common phrase by using drawings, paintings and sculptures that suggested walking inside a giant button tin. Inspired by a very early memory of her adoptive mother, who passed in 2016, this installation was the artists attempt to find an invisible button to open the space between the passed on and the living. “…So I can tell her I now understand why we pushed each other’s buttons.”

The SEABA Art Hop show was open to the public September 9, 10, & 11, 2022. Fun process videos can still be found on Instagram @twhitneyart.