ASHLEIGH GIVENS
Rooted

Rooted explores and celebrates the beauty of Black bodies and their inherent relationship to the natural world, challenging the notion that nature is a place of solitude and escape, reserved for the privileged few. There is a long history of African-Americans facing violent horrors in the woods, and even today we continue to see these stories. I seek to change the historical narrative that has separated us from enjoying the peacefulness that I get from being in nature. But, I live in the real world, where Black people are still marginalized and put in danger in the outdoors, rather than experiencing the much-needed stillness and healing that nature is capable of giving. By placing Black individuals in these settings, I aim to reclaim the relationship between us and nature, emphasizing the resilience and strength that has allowed us to thrive despite systemic barriers and the restrictions of the built environment. Ultimately, Rooted is a celebration of the beauty and power of Blackness.

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