Maya Dawn

 

My interpretation of this project and its loose theme was taken quite literally. I originally had a grand plan of a beautiful, picturesque mountain scene to represent my environment in Idaho. However, the more I ruminated on the idea the less right it felt for me. I was in a slump for months until one day in the early spring I was walking home and saw a small weed sprouting from the cracks in the sidewalk. It hit me that this small bit of greenery poking out from concrete sidewalks and paved roads is more representative of my environment than any mountain could be. The wooden base was painted with acrylic paint to get the concrete texture that’s under the pressed and dried plants. Those were collected by me from my own environment within a mile radius of me.

The sides have abstract golden and shiny shapes and swoops to help complete the piece and add more visual contrast and interest. This piece although simple, aims to represent what me and many other people saw growing up while living in cities and suburbs. Even though I live surrounded by mountains and forests, I still don’t consider them part of me and my environment or landscape. Instead, these small bits of greenery bursting from concrete jungles are what represents my home the best.