In the Ruin, We Bloom XXXVIII

This fine art self-portrait explores the quiet tension between life and decay, between reaching for the heavens and being grounded in the earth. Moss-covered ruins form the backdrop, yet the human figure stands out, a testament to life’s ongoing journey. Glowing in the monochrome landscape, the red shirt reminds us that life finds a way, even in the ruins. The photograph captures a moment where ruin and bloom collide—walls once constructed now crumble under the weight of time while a figure reaches upward, embodying life’s eternal push toward growth. The red shirt, barely visible in the grayscale, stands as a symbol of resilience. "To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul," wrote Simone Weil. This image reflects that need, rooted in decay but always striving for bloom.