Nya:wëh

Nya:wëh (Thank you) is a memorial for life. A memorial not for those who have passed but for those who will. When we grieve a person we often realize how grateful we are that they were in our lives to begin with. By remaining grateful we can see life and death in a positive light. Death is a conversation that many of us avoid but a circumstance none of us will. These portraits are of people whom I hold meaningful connections with. The plants that adorn them are chosen for their medicinal, spiritual, and cultural significance. They reflect how nature cares for us, and how we will all return to nature. My hope is that the works I've created start meaningful conversations about reciprocal relationships: with each other, with nature, and with death. Death is not a taboo subject, it is a reminder that we are all in this together. 2025 Archival inkjet print with dried plant material Natural pH adhesive 21.75 × 30 in Kimberly Duxbury