Family Trees: Honoring Resilience Through Art
Art has always been a means of storytelling, a way to bridge the past with the present and inspire the future. My latest series of shadowbox collage artworks reflects my personal history, cultural memory, and environmental innovation. These pieces integrate old photographs, a mosaic collage of painted cardboard squares, invasive Privet branches, and handmade paper crafted from invasive plants such as Privet and Heavenly Bamboo. Each element carries deep significance, representing transformation, resilience, and the interwoven nature of human and ecological histories.
The Stories Behind the Artwork
Each collage features two photographs – one of a matriarch from my family and one of an unknown individual from an old wallet that belonged to my Grandmother Joanne. These individuals, though lost to memory, were clearly important to her, and in preserving their images, I honor their presence in my family’s history.
- “Safety-Pin” is dedicated to my grandmother Joanne (a.k.a. Mimi) as a young girl. The name reflects her resourcefulness – she always had safety pins around the house and even gifted me a box before I left for college. To her, safety pins were more than just fasteners; they symbolized adaptability, creativity, and the ability to make do with what was available.
- “Grandma Roundtree” pays tribute to my great-great-grandmother, Lorena Roundtree, whom I was named after. I wonder about the relationship she shared with my grandmother and how their bond might have mirrored my own with my Mimi.
- “Finding Patience” highlights my great-great-great-grandmother, Patience, who worked at the Redcliffe Plantation. Because of documentation by the plantation’s former owner, I can trace my lineage back to this historic site. This piece connects my work in supporting BIPOC farmers to my ongoing efforts in repurposing invasive plants into artwork, reflecting a legacy of perseverance and resourcefulness.
Reframing the Narrative on Invasive Species
Beyond personal history, my work challenges conventional narratives around invasive species. As the founder of Invasive Impact Initiatives and a collaborator with the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA), I am dedicated to reshaping the way we view and engage with invasive plants. Rather than solely seeing them as threats, I explore their cultural significance in their native regions and their potential for sustainable reuse.
By transforming invasive plants into paper and art materials, I aim to highlight the possibilities of ecological innovation. These pieces encourage viewers to rethink their relationship with nature and recognize how we can creatively address environmental challenges through upcycling and repurposing.
Connecting Past, Present, and Future for Climate Justice
My work embodies a vision of honoring the resilience of both people and the planet. My ancestors adapted to challenges through their resilience and resourcefulness. Similarly, addressing climate change and biodiversity loss requires innovation, adaptation, and an appreciation for our interconnectedness.
Through my work, I hope to inspire:
- Innovation: By demonstrating how invasive species can be transformed into materials for art, I encourage creative approaches to sustainability.
- Collaboration: My workshops and upcycling events bring together scientists, artists, and community members to rethink conservation strategies.
- Action: By highlighting the resilience of my ancestors and their ingenuity, I hope to motivate others to take a more engaged role in climate justice and environmental stewardship.
As I share these pieces, I invite viewers to reflect on their own histories, relationships with nature, and roles in shaping a sustainable future. These collages are not just about the past – they are about the lessons we carry forward and the new possibilities we create together. past—they are about the lessons we carry forward and the new possibilities we create together.
