Looking Forward to the New Year
After returning from Rio de Janeiro, I created this series of paintings in January 2020, using the wrapping paper from the traditional Brazilian soaps Granado and Phebo.
On my last day in Rio, the celebrations for Iemanjá, Goddess of the Waters and Queen of the Sea, had already begun. In the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, people gather along the beaches of Rio to bring her flowers and gifts, give thanks for the year that has passed, and ask for her blessings for the year ahead.
Witnessing these celebrations reminded me that I come from a beautiful and inspiring land, where people of different faiths gather to celebrate life. Despite their diverse beliefs and backgrounds, this sacred gathering brings people together in a shared sense of hope, renewal, and possibility for the new year.