Rot

by Nadia Rausa

As winter settles in, I am reflecting on the seasons. During autumn, things rot and compost. During winter, they rest. In the spring, things will be awakened, renewed, or reborn.

Rot typically has negative connotations, but I find the process of how things die and rot quite beautiful. The earthy colors, the disintegration—there is beauty in all of it.

For this piece, I wanted to create the effect of pantina through clay and paint. Within the sculpture is one of my favorite motifs: an ever watching eyeball flower. It is surrounded by its decaying petals, broken branches, and other flora as it all prepares for winter’s rest.

May we embrace all the phases of life and find much rest during this winter season (for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere; for those of you in the Southern Hemisphere, I hope you’re having a beautiful summer).

Please Note: The patina green color is a bit difficult to see in the photographs, but it is present in the crevices of the piece.

Size: W 3 in (7.6 cm) x H 4 in (10 cm) x D 1 in (2.5 cm)
Medium: Air-dry clay and acrylic paint in wooden frame

$272 $272

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Nadia Rausa

Nadia Rausa (they/she) is a half-Korean artist and author living on Dena'ina and Ahtna land, commonly referred to as Southcentral Alaska. Their work has been described as haunting and ethereal, something Nadia wholeheartedly embrace during their creative process. From ghostly or apathetic figures to creatures overtaken by nature, Nadia’s work focuses on intertwining the reality and liminality of life and death.

Outside of creating, you can find Nadia communing with ravens and dwelling in moss. They enjoy spending their free time sitting in nature, gaming of the board/card and video varieties, reading horror and fantasy stories, and spending time with their partner and sassy tabby cat named Tabby.

Nadia is also an officiated Korean shaman apprentice (애동제자).