ARTIST STATEMENT

Trees hold the secrets of life, embodying wisdom and our connection to the natural world. They carry stories of the past, imbuing a majestic presence in each place they stand. They quietly whisper their wisdom through the rustling of their leaves in the wind, branches out stretched, the scars of experience visibly etched in bark, and a complex web of root systems that connect to each other and anchor down into the earth; creating a community and sense of belonging.

A nomadic childhood left me yearning for a place to belong, to call home, to put down roots and firmly grow. I have always felt a kindred connection to trees, they were the constant that I could rely on for acceptance and comfort. Wherever I moved, the trees were always there to welcome me and my thoughts, hopes, and fears. As I developed my art practice, photographing trees became a cathartic exploration representing the interior emotional landscape of my mind. Mounting my imagery to wood boards and utilizing an encaustic wax coating technique, I was able to introduce a unique tactile quality and ethereal atmosphere to the images.

The trees I encountered surrounding Warwick Furnace Farm, in particular Anna’s Oak, told a story of lives once lived, experiences once shared and that which has existed in the history of this valley. Spending time amongst the trees in this landscape, I was met with unexpected emotions, unlocking memories and thoughts I had believed to be neatly tucked away in the corners of my mind. Each tree provided an invitation to slow down, to explore the emotions that were revealing themselves within me, and to hear the messages of acceptance gently whispered. They unlocked an intuitive sense of clarity that wasn’t there before.

I hope this tribute to the trees transports you to a dreamlike meditative state akin to when one silently stands in the presence of a wise tree, reminding you to come back to yourself; to trust, to listen, accept one’s value, to move slowly and grow through that which emerges around you. Inspiring us to be deeply rooted, grounded and open, growing towards the sky, taking up space and allowing the vastness of the world to inspire, to reach further, to be connected and present with all that is here now and all that once was.

ADELYN DUCHALA DEEPLY ROOTED, 2023