Reflection

What can trees teach us? This piece blossomed from this very question, as well as my own research about trees. Before then, I never realized trees could teach us anything, or the fact that they hold such a spiritual and human presence, until I discovered that they were quietly connected, supporting each other with the strength of their roots. Ever since, trees have rooted themselves in my heart. In this piece, I depicted trees as human figures intertwined in luminous, colorful entanglements. I wanted to show that trees are beings with physical bodies, symbolizing the collapsing binaries between humans and nature. I wanted to show that we must learn from trees. The limbs, drawn from reference photos of my own arms to depict my personal connection to them, hold each other and intertwine with the energy of nature, representing the way trees treat each other as family, in contrast to human self-centeredness. Trees aren't just made of bark and wood, they have soul. I have learned that trees share nutrients through underground networks called mycorrhizal networks in order to send water, carbon, and nutrients to other trees - especially struggling ones. Mother trees support their offspring and recognize their own seedlings so they can send them extra nutrients to grow. Despite the perpetuating greed of humans, trees persist to nourish one another in selflessness, revealing their unstoppable resilience. This fact led me to reflect deeply, and it inspired me to create this piece as a digital artwork to explore the fact that there can be a harmony between man-made inventions such as technology and nature. Trees teach us tenacity. Trees teach us the power of giving rather than taking. Above all, trees inspire humanity the power of unconditional love - love than can never falter.