The Forest Knows Your Name

The Forest Knows Your Name is a sculptural work that explores the ways humans perceive, interact with, and treat the Earth. As modern society advances further into a highly technological world, the divide between humans and nature continues to widen, profoundly affecting this essential and fundamental relationship. Ecopsychology suggests that this separation has deep psychological consequences that often go unappreciated, leading to a loss of identity and disconnect from our primal roots. Moreover, the harm we inflict on the natural world, mirrored by increasing environmental chaos, reflects the inner turmoil we, too, experience. 

I created the wings sculpture out of found natural materials from the parks of San Francisco as a way to honor how the parks in this city have shaped my relationship with the natural world. These wings serve as an abstract representation of the wearer’s natural identity and primal self—almost a visual embodiment of Mother Nature’s soul—allowing the wearer to transcend the constraints of modern society. The sculpture is accompanied by a photography book featuring people who have deeply influenced my relationship with nature. Each subject shares a meaningful connection to the earth and has supported me in developing my own connection these past four years. Together, the sculpture and book celebrate the healing power of nature and the communities that help us return to who we are.