Within the world in which we live, we are always encouraged to pursue our dreams, with the belief that anything is possible. Indulging in meaningful dreaming requires space to think, reflect and imagine. The practice of dreaming invites us to be curious, seeking to understand ourselves and our experiences. For me, that space of reflection exists in the quiet act of observing the night sky. The stillness and magnitude of stargazing becomes a catalyst for curiosity, contemplation and escapism.
Today, there is an increasing emphasis on certainty. In this hectic world saturated with material things and commodities, and with instant access to knowledge, the unknown is greatly underappreciated. One of the last things beyond our full comprehension, continuing to evoke a sense of wonder in me, is that of outer space, present just above us every night, yet still out of sight.
It wasn’t until moving into a more urban environment that I discovered this space no longer exists. The obtrusion of artificial light pollution has blocked the stars, concealing a sense of openness with a feeling of confinement. What we gain from the illumination of the ground, we lose in the dilution of the stars. Stuck under this smog-like blanket of light, I find myself disconnected from that very space that gave me a sense of freedom and imagination in the first place.
It was this discovery that became the foundation for this body of work. Through it, I explore the tension between the visible and the unknown, consciously observing my surroundings for a glimpse of that freedom I once knew. This project became a means of articulating the frustration I hold for the disappearance of the night sky.
