I reach and I reach and I forgive the girl who loves you (a part of you lives on in me forever), 2024. Copper, found acorns and sand from Woodbine Beach, 4.5" x 4.5" x 8"(dimensions of vessel, organic materials dimensions variable). 

Conceptually derived from a Korean idiom, “밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기” (“To pour water into a bottomless pot”), this work contemplates and ruminates upon the sudden and devastating realization that profound longing and devotion of emotional labour (emulated through the labour-intensive process of copper-smithing) does not equate to a mended relationship without mutual, meaningful effort put forth to understanding. 

Thinking about the sense of becoming emotionally closer—returning—to another, and realizing that it was, in actuality, an experience of growing closer to the self, closer to the girl, closer to forgiveness. And forgiveness, not only as a singular act of compassion, but a repeated, ongoing effort. One (reluctantly… begrudgingly…) takes on the proactive role of continuous forgiveness and simultaneous consolation of the self, soothing the wound which will never fully close or disappear. Eternally carrying a sense of self-betrayal from loving the person who has hurt you, feeling everything at once—anger, sadness, despair, devastation, abandonment, and also, deep longing, yearning, love, compassion, hope. 

Found organic materials trickle out from and onto an egg shell-like fragment which has been removed from the vessel—the girl who yearns for love, acceptance, and protection, willingly and eternally lending herself to, pouring into, a bottomless pot.