43 Lignum laceratum

Description

Lignum laceratum presents a stark visual metaphor drawn from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria in 2017, which stripped countless trees in Puerto Rico of their bark and branches yet left their resilient cores defiantly exposed. The painting captures the dramatic contrast between destruction and the tenacious grip on life, with swathes of dark, torn textures overlaying the stubborn underlayers that refuse to yield.
This artwork delves deep into the essence of resilience and regeneration. It portrays the rough scars and striated textures reminiscent of bark violently torn but not defeated. The stark linear patterns and raw, exposed surfaces evoke the deep wounds inflicted by the storm, while the subtle hints of underlying strength suggest a profound commitment to survival and renewal.
Lignum laceratum is about nature’s inherent ability to withstand and evolve through adversity and poses questions about endurance and the inherent power of natural entities to transcend devastating disturbance.