"Unseen Strength" stands as a testament to the unnoticed beauty and endurance found in urban ecosystems, particularly through the lens of its hardiest yet most overlooked inhabitants: weeds. This project explores the essence of city life, presenting a narrative that aligns native weeds with the vibrant, diverse mosaic of New York. Starting with a plywood surface and following its textures, I use acrylic paint to create organic patterns, shapes, and textures that explore the inherent beauty of the environment. I integrate stitching and weaving with different fibers. These textured surfaces focus my response to a landscape, forming tangible links to the places that inspired them.

The often-overlooked weeds mirror the resilience and adaptability characteristic of New York's communities. These plants, surviving under adverse conditions, symbolize the strength found in diversity and the potential for growth and renewal in even the most challenging circumstances. Just as these weeds grew and spread seeds that find new ground to prosper, Brooklyn's residents, coming from myriad backgrounds, create a rich tapestry of communal life that reflects adaptability, perseverance, and the beauty of survival.

"Unseen Strength" is a profound commentary on human and natural resilience, a call to acknowledge and celebrate the extraordinary capabilities of the seemingly ordinary, both in nature and within ourselves.