[Artist Notes: Lee Si-on]

Artist’s Working Note_1

A mountain densely filled with trees: regardless of shape or species, many trees and grasses harmonize with one another to become a mountain.

Once they settle in a place, they take root and grow firm; the mountain thickens into a forest and becomes whole in itself.

In this image of nature, I saw our human world, made up of people in many different forms.

Those who have found where they belong through a distinct presence of their own put down roots without wavering, each in their place, forming a mountain of their own that is complete in itself.

The monochrome forms signify unfinished beings who have not yet found themselves.

Like natural scenery changing with the passing seasons, unfinished beings also sprout and bloom when their own time comes. Even those who have ultimately formed a mountain go through seasons of withering and blooming again.

Just as nature follows its own order, if we offer comfort and encouragement—and, at times, praise and support—to one another as we calmly pass through our own seasons, might we not be able to remain true to ourselves and endure steadfastly within the mountains we have each created, whatever season we are in?

Artist’s Working Note_2

Life is filled with moments when we must make choices.

For humans who experience joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure, this is only natural. Yet when we become absorbed in each emotion, we often lose our balance, wander, or even collapse.

To practice stepping out of those emotions quickly, regaining balance, and maintaining equanimity.

It may not be the answer, but perhaps it can be one way.

One of my ways of maintaining balance and equanimity is to spend time reflecting through nature.

Using nature as a medium, I create stories about the process of protecting oneself without becoming consumed by any single emotion.