Return to Ground
 

This body of work explores the practices I’ve developed to slow down, connect, and feel grounded in a fast-paced life. I’ve always found it easier to access that sense of calm while on vacation or immersed in nature, but I’ve been asking myself: how can I bring that slowness into my everyday life?

It began with photographs—clouds and macro shots taken from airplane windows while traveling. When I returned home, I found myself obsessively photographing clouds again, drawn to their quiet, shifting presence. I noticed I do the same thing on hikes: pausing not to rush toward the peak, but to stop and pet the moss. These moments of stillness and wonder are where I feel most present.

Whether I’m hiking with friends or camping with my partner, we move slowly. We listen to birdsong, search for tiny insects, and delight in the colors of lichen. I savor my morning coffee more deeply in the woods, where time feels expansive and unstructured—free of deadlines and full of quiet discovery.

Back at home, I hold onto these moments through small tokens: a rock, a shell, a photograph. My personal rock collection is a physical archive of my travels—each stone tied to a memory, a place, a feeling. These objects keep the experiences from fading, grounding me in something tangible.

In this exhibition, I invite viewers to experience slowness with me. A central sculpture encourages you to stop and pet the moss, surrounded by photographs taken on my hikes. Placed on a peristal are souvenirs of unique pebbles, rocks, shells, and coral—small reminders of the places where I’ve felt most connected, calm, and alive. These pieces are reminders that we don’t have to travel far to feel grounded—we just have to slow down and pay attention.