Becoming: Tree of Life

Becoming: Tree of Life

Hand Sculpted Stoneware with Ironwood base

Free Standing Sculpture

11.25 x 6 x 4”

I have been on a journey of exploring the idea of “Becoming” for some time now. This piece incorporates the sculpture of a tattooed male figure with a crown on his head and a single wing on his back. The figure looks slightly up toward heaven as if in a state of confident triumph.

For me the story is of a man who, against all odds has risen to become the man he knew he could become. The sculpture doesn’t really talk about the hard things he has been through, but in my mind, they would include almost insurmountable odds, both things that are the results of choices he’s made, and things that were no fault of his own. Things that have been forced upon him by family, friends, society and the expectations of the world at large.

This Sculpture is the visual manifestation of a man who has overcome all of the things placed upon him by society to become the man he and God know he can be. He is happy, strong and proud of who he is. All masks have been thrown off, and while he is still moving forward learning and growing (symbolized by the single wing) he is confident in who he is and what his purpose is.

The man bears a crown upon his head, symbolizing the idea that each of us has the seed of divinity within us, if we choose to embrace it.

The Tattooed tree of life is a symbol of resilience, belonging, and the importance of knowing one’s own role within the human family. No matter how many times we are kicked down, we can get back up and start again, now, and, I believe, throughout the eternities. this is the beauty of the heroes journey, a journey that all of us must undertake in our lives if we are to live up to our full potential.