Description:

At the heart of this large still life is my grandmother’s green box and Claddagh ring, symbolizing the importance of family bonds. Surrounding them are a plastic tulip and ballerina—childhood keepsakes, representing innocence. The broken sand dollar suggests wanting to hold on to something that’s gone, while the small peacock connects me to the project I was spending so much time creating: the book The Peacock Tree. Each item weaves a different part of my life and values, creating a portrait of my memories. I created this work for my junior-year fine arts class.