A variation of the Aneca palm surrounds the perimeter of my home in Florida. Palms have always been one of my favorite types of plants since I was young, so it’s only fitting that I would make my first wearable art piece for this series out of something near and dear to my heart. This series is called Biophilia, a brainchild of my own that will consist of several wearable art pieces inspired by the nature around me. The idea was originally brought forth into my consciousness because of my move to New York, & the introduction of seasons into my life.

An unfortunate scenario for some but fortunately for me, the coronavirus brought a part of my life to a halt temporarily, giving me an opportunity to return to my home in South Florida this spring. I originally wanted to release my first piece for Biophilia during this time, ultimately forcing me to reconstruct my idea of the whole. In contrast to New York, which frequently experiences four seasons, Florida barely experiences two. Our weather is either rainy or sunny, with a splash of cold days during what many of the other states consider wintertime. Coming back home was bittersweet at the time, but I quickly realized it was only fitting that I create my first piece from plants native to where I was raised.

Biophilia

Noun

A love of life and the living world; the affinity of human beings for other life forms.

When I started on this journey of self-discovery, one of the first things I did to center myself, was to fully emerge myself in nature as often as possible. It was there I learned many life lessons, ingrained in every blade of grass, flowing into me through every wave of the ocean. Like the relationship between the moon and the ocean, our lives move in cycles as well, and what a great reminder and reassurance that was at a time that I needed it most. I constantly have small epiphanies while surrounded by towering trees, or looking up into the vast night sky, thus deepening my appreciation for the world’s seemingly everlasting gift.

True healing happens through nature.

At my mothers quaint home in Sunrise, Florida, we have 39 palm trees on the premises. I chose the Aneca palm because of its bountiful presence on our land. It isn’t my favorite palm, but the palm family is one of my favorite plant species. From the way they take up space, to the way they hypnotize me while they dance in the warm breeze, the palm is a year round gift to every Floridian who has the opportunity to gaze on these majestic plants. It performs its everlasting dance and reminds me of the continuity that nature has, day in and day out of its existence.

During this series, look forward to delving into the experiences and lessons nature gives us, as well as looking into our social responsibility we owe to Gaia who houses us.

Welcome to Biophilia.