PAINTINGS

I manipulate the structure and appearance of plants, using the constraints of their pots to alter their form and expression. This process is intuitive and emphasizes the tension between natural growth and imposed boundaries. The term “confinement” captures both the gentle guidance of a gardener and the restrictive nature of societal norms. It feels organic yet imposed, a duality that resonates with my personal experience.

Plants, like identity, are in a constant state of collision with their environment. Each brushstroke creates a visual metaphor for the impact of societal structures on personal growth. The potted plants, simultaneously nurtured and restricted, symbolize the complex interplay between freedom and constraint. The rigidty of these boundaries varies, but the resilience of the plants—much like the resilience of identity—shines through.

Through these oil paintings, I invite viewers to reflect on their own experiences of growth within constraints. The plants, confined yet thriving, serve as a testament to the power of adaptability and the ongoing journey towards self-realization. This body of work seeks to illuminate the nuanced exchange between who we are and the spaces we inhabit, celebrating the beauty and strength found in the collision of identity and structure.