Charred and Polished, 2023

Apple tree trunk, glass 80 x 30 x 30 cm

The gnarled, twisted trunk of an apple tree has been preserved using the Shou Sugi Ban technique and paired with glass. Sections of the wood have been removed and replaced with replicas cast in glass. This piece celebrates diversity and resilience, symbolizing the challenges and struggles of self-discovery and the search for identity. The installation invites viewers to reflect on their own journeys, emphasizing the importance of embracing change and finding beauty in the unfamiliar, without being misled by the pursuit of superficial perfection.

The work features a metal reinterpretation of the tree trunk, hollow and barely recognizable, representing the image we present to society. The charred tree trunk leans precariously, weighed down by its metal counterpart. Together, they work in harmony, with one side reflecting the incomplete facade we show the world, while the other reveals the "true self," resting uneasily, yet fully present.