"place/places"

Solar Plate Intaglio, October 2020

Prompted to reflect on a “sense of place,” I realized how inextricably connected people and places are; how we experience places differently based on who we share those spaces with, and how our relationships are defined by the spaces they take place in. In “place/places,” I reflect on my girlfriend, Grace, and I’s relationship during its early stages, which took place during the worldwide quarantine of 2020. Never before in history have new relationships had to navigate such a landscape and find their sense of place under such conditions. A collage of physical places we visited during our weekly meetings over three months of quarantine, this piece celebrates the fact that we carved out a multitude of joyful moments and spaces even during a period of worldwide grief. I aim to express my gratitude for finding a sense of place in Grace herself, and my excitedness to continue cultivating a love that is a refuge of joy for both of us.