Artist Statement

As an Asian American student coming to New York from out of state, I felt a deep sense of uncertainty during my freshman year. Being far from home, in an unfamiliar environment, I often questioned whether I would find my place or truly grow here. Now, as a senior, I can look back and see how much I’ve changed. I came to New York searching for new opportunities—hoping to bloom into someone stronger, more confident, and rooted. This project reflects that journey.

I chose to document the plum blossom trees between the Earth and Space Sciences Building and Harriman Hall because their slow transformation from bare branches to full bloom mirrors my own growth at Stony Brook. Each budding flower represents the small, steady moments that shaped who I am today. What began as uncertainty has become a quiet confidence, shaped by time, patience, and resilience.

This is a personal project that serves as a reminder that growth doesn’t happen all at once—it happens gradually, often unseen, just like the changing landscape I photographed. Through these images, I hope to share that sense of renewal and self-discovery, and to inspire others to embrace their own journey of blooming, even when the season feels uncertain.

INTRODUCTION