Conceptual & Fine Art Finalists

In a time of growing hostility and division, I wanted to create something that felt like a refuge—a visual sanctuary where diversity is not just accepted but celebrated. The Garden of Us is a response to the rising attacks on women, people of color, and the LGBTQIA+ community. While hatred seeks to uproot, control, and diminish, this series is a reminder that true beauty, like a thriving garden, flourishes in diversity, in layers, in connection.

Each portrait is a bloom—soft yet powerful, radiant yet resilient. The layers of petals mirror the complexities that make us who we are. The covered eyes speak to the forced invisibility many experience, the ways in which society tries to erase or control identities. Yet even in the face of that erasure, these figures remain vibrant, undeniable, and full of life.

My goal was to create something that counters the negativity so many face daily. I want those who see this series to feel seen, to feel loved, to feel like they belong. The warm, inviting colors were chosen deliberately—to evoke joy, sunshine, and the energy of something growing, something unstoppable.

Art, for me, is about making people feel—seen, heard, valued. It’s about creating spaces, even if only for a moment, where people can breathe, exist, and know that they are not alone. The Garden of Us is a call to protect each other, to uplift those who are being silenced, and to remind us all that we thrive together.