Artist Statement: Roots

This collection originated in January of 2025 during a time of seasonal depression. While I was painting “Roots,” its sister collection “Land Sea Sky” was making its debut solo show. That collection was filled with color. 

I had no intention of painting a series of roots. I simply painted one painting as I thought about turning away from the world, turning inwards, hibernating, making space for despair, and hopelessness, and then eventually turning towards the world again, now with more insight and stronger, deeper roots to support any endeavors that would emerge. Although this painting was equally focused on the roots and on the blooms, I found myself more drawn to the root system, the stuff that lives underground.

This inspired me and I started thinking more and more about roots, in a metaphorical way. What would bloom if the roots were tainted with a history of blood? What would bloom if the roots were dying and the history with them? What would bloom if the roots were only three colors? I surprised myself over and over again in this process because I had no intention of connecting to this part of me at that time, but my brush swept gently into the depths of my ancient history and touched this very tender part of me, the part that is Armenian and all the weight that comes with that. The more I painted, the more avenues opened up to explore for the next paintings, just like a root system branching off and growing. I constantly thought, “Oh there is more? Let me take this path and see what I’ll find.” There was no resistance on my part. I think the frequency of the general sadness I felt at that time was the perfect medium for all these buried feelings about my cultural history to surface because there is so much grief wrapped up in there. 

The paintings moved in the direction of resilience. If the roots were bloody, something bloomed anyway: a red flower, protected by red roots that uprooted themselves and wrapped around the flower for protection. If the roots were dying, there was one that had enough power to sustain growth. In asking the question of “What if the roots were…?” I provided enough structure to begin a painting while also allowing myself the freedom to paint whatever emerged in the moment.

There were several tracks I repeatedly played while painting this collection: 

Artur Zakiyan - Garun A (feat. Komitas)

Tigran Hamasyan - Lilac

Aes Dana’s - Signs

Hania Rani’s - Sun