Tree Bark

I once believed myself to be flexible, open-minded, and free-spirited. Yet one day, I came to realize that beneath this outward openness, I was far more rigid and deeply attached to my own beliefs than I had imagined.

This realization unsettled me, revealing the invisible boundaries I had unknowingly built around myself. Through these works, I reflect on the rigidity of thought and the tension between who we believe ourselves to be and who we truly are.

Life moves in a circle. We begin our lives dependent on the care of others, and as we grow older, we may find ourselves returning to that same state of vulnerability and dependence.

Over time, the roles we once knew begin to reverse. Those who were cared for become caregivers, while those who once offered care may eventually need it themselves.

Through this continuous cycle of giving and receiving, these works reflect on the fragile nature of independence and the invisible bonds that connect us. Life reminds us that we are never entirely self-sufficient, but are continually sustained by one another.

At the end of a long day filled with tension and exhaustion, we return home and take off our coats, hanging them by the door. In that simple gesture, we also begin to shed the invisible weight we have carried throughout the day—our worries, responsibilities, and emotional burdens. The coat becomes a metaphor for what we carry through life, and taking it off becomes a quiet act of release, a moment of letting go and returning to ourselves.

As I grow older and look back on my life, I see the many tribulations and trials we encounter along the way. There are moments when we feel as though we might bend or break under their weight. Yet, through healing and recovery, we rise again. Each wound and each moment of struggle becomes part of who we are, allowing us to continue growing, changing, and moving forward.