ARTWORK DESCRIPTION
This piece is about exploration of brokenness. Within the wings you can see a visual representation of playing cards referencing we are all dealt a hand of cards from the universe and some of us get a really bad hand. Directly focusing inward on the cards I was dealt due to poverty, abuse and a severely traumatized mother who disconnected from the world by using drugs and abusing alcohol. You’ll also see reference to spades in correlation with the adverse childhood experience. On the belly of the barn owl there’s thistle growing in a harsh environment which is symbolic of the atmosphere I was raised in. Despite all of it the owl is flying it is reaching and growing through self awareness. Through the use of deep dreamy blues and light cotton shades of pale blue this is an expression of my personal journey of overcoming and persistence.

ARTIST STATEMENT
I am Katie Rodick, an artist from Nevada, Missouri. I am currently attending Pittsburgh State University and majoring in studio art. My work is an exploration of persistence, survival, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of trauma. Having grown up surrounded by abuse, addiction, and early childhood trauma, my life has been marked by profound struggles. Yet, it is these very experiences that have shaped my artistic vision and drive.

At the heart of my art is the story of overcoming, of navigating through pain and finding strength in the healing process. I draw deeply from my understanding of how the body copes with trauma, using symbolism to communicate the complex layers of experience. One of the recurring motifs in my work is the hidden ace — a quiet nod to the "Adverse Childhood Experiences" (ACE) that define much of my past. These cards are buried within my pieces, sometimes only visible on close inspection, a representation of how these experiences are often unseen yet deeply affect our journeys.

Mental health and healing are central to my practice. I believe in the power of art to serve as both a mirror and a bridge — reflecting our struggles and offering a path to restoration. The symbolism in my work is deliberate and purposeful. I draw inspiration from the ancient Chinese art of Kintsugi, the practice of repairing broken pottery with gold, which speaks to the beauty of brokenness and the strength found in healing. I incorporate this concept into my pieces, using gold to unite contrasting elements, transforming the fractures into a powerful testament to resilience.

Through my art, I seek to celebrate the persistence of those who have endured, the strength found in vulnerability, and the beauty in healing. It is my hope that my work provides a space for reflection, recognition, and ultimately, renewal. Because, despite it all, we persist.