Medium: oil | Year: 2024 | Award: First Place
I created Elders of the Earth to bring together an Indigenous elder and a bison as representatives of the earth’s elders. The painting began with a question: If the earth remembers everything, does true wisdom come from looking toward the future, or from listening to the memories of the past?
Through these two figures, I reflect on what we can learn from those who came before us. Our elders carry experiences and knowledge that deserve to be heard. Their wisdom connects yesterday with tomorrow, inviting us to listen, learn, and consider how the lessons of the past might help us build a better future.