Rooted:Verdant

This drawing continues my exploration of identity. The flowers stand for what lives quietly inside us, the unseen threads that connect us to who we are. Here, those inner roots rise outward, unfolding as blossoms, like a Vinok, the Ukrainian wreath of flowers. It is a reminder that even far from home, identity can grow and show itself in beautiful ways. These blossoms are not decoration but an extension of being, carrying memory, tradition, and belonging. They speak of resilience, how identity endures, transforms, and flourishes no matter where we are planted.

Through this work, I wanted to explore the feeling of carrying a part of where we come from wherever we go. Identity can change with time and place, but some things remain rooted within us. I hope the work can evoke a sense of belonging and the possibility of growing into something new without losing the connection to where we began.

The title Rooted: Verdant brings together two ideas that are central to the work: having roots and continuing to grow. “Rooted” speaks of connection, origin, and belonging, while “Verdant” suggests something living, flourishing, and full of possibility. Together, they reflect the idea that our roots do not have to keep us in one place. They can become a source of strength from which something new can grow.

As with the drawing itself, the title is open to interpretation. It can speak about identity, home, memory, or simply the feeling of growing and changing while remaining connected to something within us.

Approximately 2 months

Tokyo, Japan

0.3 mm mechanical pencil (graphite) on paper