ARTIST PORTFOLIO

A decorative flower-shaped sculpture made of intertwined metal wire.
A black, cube-shaped object with intricate geometric patterns and open sides, appears to be made of metal or plastic, possibly a decorative or sculptural piece.

Chaney Goggans is a mixed media artist whose work draws from the quiet complexity of natural patterns, the microscopic beauty of fruit, and the often-overlooked threads of queer history. Working across sculpture, weaving, and painting, Goggans creates tactile pieces that blur the line between organic growth and human design.

Influenced by Ruth Asawa’s delicate geometries and Bronwyn Oliver’s sculptural poetics, Goggans builds forms that feel alive—deliberate yet spontaneous, structured yet soft. A recent Hendrix College graduate with a focus in sculpture, she’s collaborated with an Arkansas Living Treasure to master traditional tapestry techniques while pushing those methods into new, contemporary contexts.

Their work has been supported through grant-funded projects and featured in exhibitions highlighting emerging regional artists. Rooted in Arkansas, Goggans continues to explore how craft, community, and identity intertwine in both material and meaning

Artist Bio

My body of sculptural work, “We Were Never Meant to Survive”, explores queer history using the symbolism of flowers. Each piece invites the audience to reflect on the powerful stories of resilience, love, and transformation within the LGBTQ+ community. Every flower in my work represents a chapter in queer history—celebrating important milestones, honoring struggles, and acknowledging the diverse experiences that shape our community. My work focuses on the Lavender Scare, Green Carnations, The Pink Triangle, AIDs, Sappho’s Violets, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, The Mattachine Society, and the Stonewall Riots.

All of these movements, groups, and events have been reclaimed by the queer community using the language of flowers, where each bloom has its own meaning. Just as flowers have been used throughout history to communicate messages of love or rebellion, my sculptures are meant to express the beauty of self-acceptance and the importance of being visible in a world that sometimes tries to silence marginalized voices.

Through this work, I hope to start conversations about how art, identity, and history intersect. I want people to engage with the narratives that are woven into each piece. By celebrating queer history through the lens of flowers, I hope to inspire a sense of connection and resilience, while encouraging a deeper appreciation for the rich, shared stories that shape who we are.


Artist Statement

Sculpture of a flower arrangement with tall, dark, textured flowers on curved stems in a black vase, placed on a square light-colored base.
Abstract sculpture made of wire in a floral shape with a textured base.
An abstract sculpture with twisting black branches on top of a wooden panel.
A black and white illustration of a tangled, scribble-like tree with multiple overlapping loops and a straight trunk.
A rectangular wooden block with dried, twisted plant or vine material attached to the top and scattered along the surface.
Multiple black twisted wires entangled to form abstract shapes on a white background.
A close-up of a wooden flower pot with curly dark hair and a potted plant behind it.
Abstract sculpture made of tangled black wire arranged in the shape of a horse's head on a white background.
A broken paper trash bin with crumpled pieces of paper and tangled wires coming out.
A decorative box with a design resembling tree branches or veins in shades of blue and white on its surface.
A piece of textured light blue paper with an intricate, orange, leafless tree design.
A decorative piece featuring pink, blue, and black wildlife flowers on an orange netted background.