WISH YOU WERE HERE

In my current series, Wish You Were Here, the maple tree symbolizes life, healing, and growth. In this case, the loss of a loved one and how life still goes on. In many images you will see a gap in the tree’s leaves representing the void and loss that is felt everyday. Tradition has it that when someone passes away a tree is planted to honor the life lost. An eternal memory that will continue to evolve. A living force that will mature and reproduce. The tree will go through changes. It will bear scars from storms and lift its leaves to the sun. The tree offers protection in its shade and shows that life continues even in times of hopelessness. The leaves representing all of the individuals that tree has touched, and it’s seedlings the future generations. 

The impacts that we unfortunately have thrown our way can be overwhelming. Much of the exploration of reality in this series addresses the stages of denial, despair, and grief. My intention is that the viewers will see that sorrow is a process and we have no choice but to search for the beauty in each day. Though we feel at times that we might not make it through, time and memories will soften our wounds.

The tree is a metaphor for hope and optimism for the future. Created by another life, it will continue to mature and live on. Its roots are firmly planted in the ground. Its saplings one day lifting their own leaves to the sun, proudly bearing the beauty borne from the original.