Uncle May
May "Uncle May" Worthen (born 2000, Charlotte, NC) is a collage artist based in North Carolina. She earned her BA in Film Studies from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Her love of collage goes back to childhood, always decorating her notebooks and binders in school, finding images from magazines and old travel books. The name "Uncle May" came from her desire to not be called "Aunt May" when she (eventually) has nieces and nephews. Uncle just flows better.
Currently, she channels her creativity into collaging images inspired by nature, folk music, and dreams of an idyllic land.
Though I have many creative inspirations, recently I find myself inspired by elements in nature. From rolling hills to mountain ranges to fields of flowers, I am consistently drawn to the natural world. I think with the state of the world as it is, I want my art to evoke a sense of peace and comfort. My most recent collection, a 2026 calendar, is made almost entirely of layered landscapes, each of which I wish were places I could go and live.
I use books, magazines, and other ephemera from the 20th century because of my love for the texture of film photography and older digital photos. I try to evoke an earthly feeling in my art that is aided by the warmth and richness in older photographs.