SYMBOLISM

• My sculpture measures about eight feet in all directions. The number eight symbolizes infinity, rebirth, and abundance. Each Wish Paper is rolled into the shape of an unfurling seedling, revealing a name or age but concealing the wish. The handwriting unique to the individual shows, cueing the concept of our individuality blending in a common mission-spiraling up together for hope.

• The Wish Papers measure three inches by three and a half inches. The number three represents all: the beginning, middle, and end, or the Earth, waters, and beyond, as well as the body, mind, and spirit. The number three and a half symbolizes things still in progress, unfinished. I have suspended the wishes in an abstracted double helix to represent DNA, common to all life on Earth.

• I created the outer haven, I love You, with coffee filters to symbolize community and connection. When you ask someone to have coffee with you, you are saying I want to spend time together connecting as equals, sharing an experience.

• These nests of coffee filters are grouped in twos and nines. The number two is associated with harmony, balance, partnership, and love. The number nine symbolizes universal love, spiritual awakening, enlightenment, and humanitarianism.

• I used ferrous metal and magnets to represent the pull of Earth’s gravity. Whether you are on the left or right politically, we are all held firmly to the same planet.