Rooted

Beneath the surface, mangrove roots weave together in networks. Above the surface, each root appears solitary, yet is sustained by the unseen connections that bind them. This piece reflects on that hidden interdependence and the way life persists through what is shared, not what is separate.

Inspired by the structure and function of mangrove roots, the work consists of three slabs, each carrying a cluster of roots that rise upward from the surface while remaining connected below, grounded in the same earth. Together, they form a system that mirrors how communities exist side by side, distinct but interlinked through quiet forms of support.

The shifting tides that shape the mangrove’s environment also influence this piece. Some roots are submerged while others are exposed, marking cycles of change, adaptation, and endurance. At its core, the work reflects on connection, resilience, and the unseen systems that allow life and community to continue above and beneath the surface.