Rooted by Emily Read in Montreal

Rooted, 15x15 feet, Painted at 17 Gowan, Barrie, Ontario, Canada For me, the pandemic gave me the chance to slow down and spend more time in my hometown. Despite a challenging year and more, I was grateful to reconnect with my roots: friends, family, nature and hometown. I was always so busy traveling, working, and living in other places I never had or made the time. It's easy to forget and take for granted, but the people and places we grow up around help shape us. The trilium flower represents Ontario as the provincial flower. The roots from the flower connect down to the ground sprouting new ones, but always remain connected. I remember so many walks with forest floors being covered by these beautiful white flowers. The blue ripples represent the abundance of water in Barrie and Ontario. Growing up I was never far from water. Ontario is filled with countless lakes, rivers and streams that always bring me a sense of calm and belonging. The ripples expand out larger and larger into the background: reflecting the idea that no matter how far we grow and move it all starts from that first drop.