"Perseverance"—Mariah Wiley
Strength is often seen as something unbreakable, but what if it comes at a cost? In this piece, a man has a tree for a head, a symbol of resilience and growth. Yet as the roots push deeper, they begin to crack through his body. Dark veins run along his arms, hinting at life slowly slipping away, while his hands fade into smoky fragility, disappearing. Even in the midst of breaking, he remains standing. This work reflects the complexity of strength, the idea that even when we are enduring, we may still be unraveling beneath the surface.
"Perseverance"—Mariah Wiley
Strength is often seen as something unbreakable, but what if it comes at a cost? In this piece, a man has a tree for a head, a symbol of resilience and growth. Yet as the roots push deeper, they begin to crack through his body. Dark veins run along his arms, hinting at life slowly slipping away, while his hands fade into smoky fragility, disappearing. Even in the midst of breaking, he remains standing. This work reflects the complexity of strength, the idea that even when we are enduring, we may still be unraveling beneath the surface.