Washburn’s immersive installation, Effigy : Hemric, uncovers these hidden realities by imagining how this particular farmer’s lived experiences, traumas, beliefs, and traditions would manifest in a physical space. To construct this domestic shelter, Washburn scavenged the local landscape—its roadside piles, woods, and second-hand stores—for items that recall the culture and familiarities of the Yadkin Valley region. These objects, both natural and manufactured, were then transformed by the artist to recreate the intimate spaces of Hemric’s home. Characteristics of the shelter, such as its size and layout, as well as decorations and items placed within, act as a visual language for the psychologies of Hemric. While these elements suggest economic position, as well as social and political contexts, Washburn’s primary interest is how they reflect a person’s attempts to maintain their humanity, despite the significant loss and change they have endured. Through this physical representation of a person’s identity and intrapersonal intricacies, Washburn asks us to consider how we are meant to cope, evolve, and survive when destabilized and removed from our realities.