How can I portray various aspects of nature abstractly through ceramics? Going into AP Art, I knew I wanted to depict different aspects of nature, but I wanted to delve into a deeper meaning behind it. In the natural world, plants are constantly growing and dying all around us. Things such as water giver life, while also bringing destruction that can take it. Life and death are so interlinked within nature and I wanted to focus on that connection and duality in my work. I think especially in the current age of tech, ai, and war, it is especially important to focus on the details that one would consider insignificant at first glance. My exploration of life and death is not meant to demonize one aspect and revere the other, it is simply made to recognize the duality and the give and take of the world around us. Using clay to depict aspects of nature makes me feel more connected to nature, given that clay is derived from the earth. As my skills in ceramics have developed, I have been able to hone my hand building and wheel throwing skills, evident in the various building styles of my works. This year especially, I found myself drawn to the flowing, cyclical nature of wheel throwing and began working with that despite disregarding it in my earlier years of ceramics work.