The Roots That Remain
Artist Statement
The Roots That Remain is an exploration of how natural outdoor spaces offer comfort, belonging, and continuity during moments of transition and unfamiliarity. This project is rooted in my own experience of studying abroad and seeking peace and comfort in the green spaces across Europe and California. As I navigated new languages, cultures, and landscapes, I found myself constantly searching for the nearest park, looking for places where I could breathe, reflect, and feel grounded when everything around me felt uncertain. These spaces reminded me of home and the simplicity of childhood: playing soccer on the grass, feeding ducks at a pond, or gathering with loved ones for picnics. They were living reminders that even far from everything familiar, there are environments that hold us, center us, and remain unchanged.
This installation seeks to recreate that grounding presence inside a gallery, offering viewers the same sacred sense of belonging that these spaces provide for me abroad. I invite viewers to pause and reflect on their own memories of nature and childhood. In also offering a description of the locations of these parks I also encourage viewers to step into spontaneity and feel inspired to visit these parks nearby or on upcoming travels. By blending imagery of parks from across Europe and California, The Roots That Remain becomes more than a personal narrative, but rather a collective invitation to consider how memory, growth, and the enduring presence of nature ground us.
About
The Artist
Julia Castillo (she/her) is an emerging artist based in Berkeley, California, where she is currently pursuing a degree in Art Practice and Psychology. Her work explores the intersection of emotion, cognition, and artistic expression, examining how internal states and brain processes shape the viewer's perception of art and artists' thinking when creating. With a deep connection to nature and architectural elements within natural landscapes, Julia works across mediums including earthworks, still-life short films, richly textured acrylic and oil paintings, and immersive sculptural installations.
However, Julia is passionate that art and design will always play a crucial role in her life (career centered or not) molding into whatever stage she becomes present in. Her passion along with her interests is what becomes the forefront of her creations. Inspired by the impressionist painter Claude Monet and the modernist sculpture maker, Ruth Asawa, Julia interweaves historical and contemporary perspectives to emphasize her ever-evolving love for spirituality, belonging, and the beauty of everyday life. Her practice is guided by a belief that art and design will remain integral to her journey, continuously adapting, transforming, and grounding her creative voice in the environments and emotions that continuously shape her.
