Maggie Sin
Earth to Ashes, Ashes to Earth
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Image Description:
Fluffy clouds in a blue sky with a butterfly-shaped hole, burnt through the canvas and a sunflower in the corner. Below, a real sunflower seed head sits on an easel above a sign that reads, FEEL FREE TO TAKE A SEED AND GROW YOUR OWN SUNFLOWER.
Artist Description:
Sunflowers have been a growing symbol for invisible disabilities. "Earth to Ashes, Ashes to Earth" uses this symbolism to explore this year's theme, "Boxing In, Breaking Out, Becoming Beautiful."
Boxing In: The burnt area represents the brain injury event and the acute post-injury period.
Becoming Beautiful: The sunflower represents the future; the hope, possibilities, and thriving with the community.
Breaking Out: I invite you to take a sunflower seed home to grow, just as survivors grow after their injury.
The title "Earth to Ashes, Ashes to Earth" draws a connection to the Book of Common Prayer. Brain injury can be a life-changing event. It can feel like the old self has died, and the survivor now needs to find a way onwards and towards hope of a resurrected self. From earth a sunflower grows, to ashes as the old self is relinquished, returning to the earth for tomorrow's growing sunflower.