Remembrance Blossoms 

Artist Statement:

"Remembrance Blossoms" is a tribute to the five young lives lost in the tragic 1989 Cleveland Elementary School shooting in Stockton, California. The artwork features five lotus flowers, symbols of purity, commitment, optimism, strength, elegance, and grace.

The lotus, the national flower of both Vietnam and Cambodia, holds deep cultural and spiritual significance. Known as the flower of the dawn, it closes and sinks underwater at night, only to rise and bloom anew with the morning light. This resilience reflects the enduring spirit of the victims, whose families had come to the U.S. as refugees, seeking safety and a brighter future.

The background is painted in a dark orange, one of the school colors, representing both the vibrancy and the shadows cast by that tragic day. The canvas, measuring 6 square feet, symbolizes all six lives lost, including the shooter who ended his own life. However, only five flowers are depicted in the piece, reflecting the innocent children who perished.

Through this painting, I hope to offer a moment of reflection, honoring those who lost their lives while acknowledging the strength and beauty that can arise from even the darkest of circumstances.