In Nascence, Maddy Inez draws on plants and their cultural histories, channeling her research into extensive material experimentations in the studio. The resulting works range from anthropomorphic vessels, tendrilled wall reliefs, and preparatory watercolors, each of which are inspired by flora – hibiscus, za’atar, poppies, to name a few – that hold deep medicinal, symbolic, and historical importance.

“Nascence is a show about gardening as an act of resistance,” writes Inez. “I researched the gardens and people's relationships to plants that have been forcibly removed or displaced from their land due to colonization. The act of choosing to have a relationship with a land after enduring so much violence is such a powerful act of resistance. The choice to plant to feed your people in an unpredictable future is a choice of hope.”