this forest remembers fire is an installation that explores the consequences of fire suppression in the United States, particularly in the context of climate change. While containing individual wildfires may provide immediate safety, the aggressive suppression of all fires can lead to dangerous fuel buildup, resulting in more intense wildfires. This shift away from Indigenous land management practices—where cultural and controlled burns promoted ecosystem health—began after colonization and the catastrophic fires of 1910. These events framed fire as solely destructive, overlooking its regenerative potential.

Grief is like a forest after a wildfire. After my grandmother's death in 2017, I spent the summer as a wildland firefighter, witnessing firsthand the transformation of forest ecosystems in the wake of fire. After a wildfire, the forest may appear desolate, with charred remnants indicating what once thrived. However, fire is crucial in healing certain ecosystems and integral to many landscapes.

This installation features a fictional forest after a wildfire. The burned and charred forms serve as reminders of past fires and their impacts. As climate change accelerates, society must reevaluate its relationship with fire, acknowledging its destructive potential and vital role in renewal. Rather than merely fighting fire, we should seek ways to coexist with it, embracing its place in our ecosystem. This forest embodies the dual nature of fire: a force of destruction and a catalyst for regeneration.

As I navigate my grief over losing my grandmother, I have learned about resilience through the natural healing processes of forests. Fire can promote growth, even when signs of renewal are not immediately evident. Some forests may take years or even decades to recover from a fire, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t recovering. Just as ecosystems rejuvenate themselves, grief also unfolds on a different timescale.

this work was supported by the Marcia Grand Centennial Sculpture Prize