WE ARE WHAT WE CUT DOWN

Artwork story

My work addresses the urgent issue of deforestation and its impact on our environment. Using reclaimed wood from a chair that served a home for 40 years, I create a portrait that reflects our relationship with trees. Trees play a vital role in regulating our climate, storing carbon, and supporting biodiversity. By cutting them down without consideration for their replacement, we diminish not only the ecosystem but also a part of ourselves. This portrait serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of humanity and nature.

This body of work is inspired by two primary observations: the heat in my environment and the evolving nature of human relationships over time.

In recent years, I have witnessed a significant increase in temperature in my surroundings. Many trees near my studio have been removed, perceived as hiding places for harmful animals. This deforestation results in a loss of shade and comfort, prompting me to contemplate our relationship with nature and the consequences of our actions on the environment.

The second source of inspiration is the changing of human relationships. Individuals who play important roles in our lives often change as we grow. While new connections may emerge, the significance of those who came before remains. Relationships can become distant when we neglect to nurture them, mirroring the deterioration of our environment when we fail to care for it.

The dark, charred wood featured in this work symbolizes these relationships and the aspects of ourselves that we often overlook. Through this exploration, I aim to speak about the importance of reconnecting with both people and nature before we lose the vital elements that sustain us.

This work invites reflection on what we have cut down, what we have neglected, and what we still have the opportunity to restore.