What Might Grow?

I was halfway through painting this when it became clear the chaotic underpainting was my reaction to the Uvalde School Shooting in Texas. A slightly different take on Fathomless, initially it seemed this piece may not belong in this exhibition. But realising that I am unable to fathom how shootings like these keep happening, it became clear it certainly had a place here.

There are 21 yellow circles in the underpainting - one for each life lost that day. Some remain visible, others are tucked away under the white overpainting. This piece feels like a prayer for hope - a longing for something better to grow from the remains of the sorrow.