A forest is only as strong as the roots that run deep.

When we walk into a forest, it is easy to have our breath taken away by the beauty around us. Tall, magnificent trees that stand strong towards the sky; branches that reach out to every edge of our world; a scent of nature, filling the air. Whether you are on the coast of BC in the great red cedars, in the boreal forest amongst the aspens and the spruce, or in the heart of Ontario, where the oaks and maples encapsulate the Muskoka’s, Canadian forests are truly incredible. For these forests to live, a grand underground structure must first be established, comprised of complex root systems. Trees must be able to take on the powers of mother nature, without the ability to move or escape their surroundings. To do this, they grow a deep, strong root, which must be able to bear the load of everything that comes at them or risk a tremendous fall – and in many parts of the world, these forests stay intact for hundreds to thousands of years. When the Roots Run Deep represents the complex forest structure, starting first with the deep roots, represented by the zig-zag pattern found at the beginning and end of the project. At the centre, sits a tree stand, strong and secure. The detailed stitching above and below the trees, is the understory – be it shrubs, grass, plants, flowers… that despite best efforts to compete with the trees, instead live in harmony under the great shadow of the canopy. This piece is inspired by the message of the tree; that to stand tall and bear the load of life, we must first start with a strong and secure, deep root structure.