The title, “Water Me,” serves as a metaphor, capturing the essence of the entire exhibition. It’s a plea, a statement, and an acknowledgment of the fundamental need for sustenance and growth. Water, in its myriad forms, mirrors the diverse experiences encapsulated within the artworks. From the gentle trickle of a fountain to the fluid figures on my glazed vessels and to the symbolism of a blue lamp, water becomes a universal language, whispering tales of life transformation.
The title, “Water Me,” serves as a metaphor, embodying the essence of the entire exhibition— It is a plea, a statement, and an acknowledgment of the fundamental need for sustenance and growth. In its literal sense, “water me” translates to ‘give me life’. The works presented in this exhibition respond to the question “What waters me?”. They unveil a narrative encompassing themes of support, love, communication, belief, care, hope, growing pains, and the pruning that life and its experiences bring.
In this body of work, a spectrum of mediums and textures are explored, utilizing bold and colorful oil and acrylic media to create narratives of human experiences and emotions that resonate universally. From the love depicted in “Join Us,” illustrating a sisterly bond, to the exploration of depressive feelings in “Dusk of Despair” related to PMDD which was something I experienced more this year. My art serves as letters reaching out to viewers and drawing them into the emotional depths of each piece.
The flowing nature evident in my work feels palpable, mirroring movement inspired by fluidity. The paintings, illustrations, and sculptures inhabit the intersection of surrealism and reality. Water, in its myriad forms, mirrors the diverse experiences embodied within the artworks. Whether in the trickle of the fountain installation, the fluid feminine figures on glazed vessels watering themselves, the tears symbolized in “The Yellow Stool,” or the shared fluidity reflected in the spillage of “Tea Time”—water serves as the thread that binds everything together.
The glazed vessels, standing as sculptural pieces, draw metaphorical parallels between water and womanhood, exploring shared qualities and profound symbolism within the ceramic embrace. Following the guidance of one of my art heroes Peju Alatise, I ventured beyond firing, using brown coffee feldspar glaze to create ceramics that feel contemporary yet evoke the aura of antique jewels.
Since introducing clay into the practice, a love for the human need for touch has blossomed. Inspired by Maria Bartuszová’s philosophy, I extend an invitation to feel the clay, connect intimately with the art, and experience the resonance of touch. This inspired the creation of “The Blue Seed,” comprising over 1000 tiny touchable sculptures—a participatory reservoir of dreams. Visitors plant a seed, symbolizing their aspirations, and interact with the water, contributing to an evolving piece within the exhibition.
Every creation for this exhibition was a seed planted and nurtured, reflecting the metaphor of growth. As humans, the perennial wonder of what comes next unfolds through each circle, giving hope that the next one is a part of life’s grand plan. My wish is that you journey through this exhibition, immerse yourself in the sweet currents of life, embrace the transformative power of dreams and participate in a shared narrative—a narrative that flows, evolves, and, like water, gives life.