Mono No Aware
Artist Statement: Mono no aware (物の哀れ)
Mono no aware, translated as “the pathos of things,” reflects an awareness of impermanence (無常 mujō)—a sensitivity to the fleeting nature of life. It is the gentle sadness that accompanies the passage of time, an acceptance of ephemerality, and an appreciation of the beauty that exists within it. My work explores this concept, capturing transient moments that evoke both wistfulness and gratitude.
Fleeting – The Black and White Wall
During my recovery from a blood disorder, I dreamt of this exact piece. Though pain and hopelessness weighed on me in that moment, this vision reminded me of the ever-changing nature of life. Just as suffering is temporary, so too is joy—both existing within the continuous flow of time. This work is a meditation on resilience, impermanence, and the quiet strength found in acceptance.
Ahh-ness of Spring
To be aware of impermanence is to embrace the ephemeral—the way nature, life, and love exist in a cycle of becoming and fading. Do we cherish more deeply because we know something won’t last? Is our appreciation heightened by the inevitability of loss?
The Ahh-ness of Spring is a collection of spring blooms, each captured at different stages of life. We celebrate the vibrancy of new blossoms while simultaneously mourning their inevitable departure. This duality—awe and sorrow, joy and melancholy—is at the heart of my work, inviting the viewer to pause, reflect, and find beauty in the transient.
This exhibition was showcased at 15th Street Gallery, where the delicate balance between presence and impermanence was explored through floral compositions. The gallery setting provided a contemplative space for viewers to engage with the themes of change, memory, and appreciation of the fleeting beauty in nature.
