Left Image: Tree of Renewed Life

This tree represents growth and strength while reaching for the sky while keeping grounded. I formed this tree as I recovered from my final cranial reconstruction in March 2022 incorporating the staples that were removed.

Image Description:

Tree of Renewed Life: This artwork is a copper wire sculpture. The tree has been constructed by twisting copper of wire of various thickness. The base of the tree was created by twisting thicker copper wire with downward twists to form roots. The upward twists represent branches with thinner copper wire to represent leaves. Colour copper wire was woven into the leaves. The staples from my surgery have been twisted into some of the branches to subtly incorporate the last staples of my surgery.

Right Image: Invictus

Inspired by the poem ‘Invictus‘ by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY.

Mountaineer and brain injury survivor. Vision impaired but eyes opened.

“Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance, My head is bloody, but unbowed. And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid. I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul”

Image Description: This painting has been created on a wood panel. There is a female figurehead at the front of a boat. The water and sky pictured are in the background. The figure head is looking forwards and upwards representing strength and having courage to move out of the dark unknown and depths of troubled waters to calmer waters.

A decade of mountaineering brought me to Nepal in 2018.

One painful headache later my life was interrupted in a way that would be change me forever. A blood clot had formed in my brain leading to a stroke at the age of 38. I endured 6 brain surgeries and my skull is now part titanium.

I arrived back in Toronto in a vegetative state, unable to speak and wheelchair bound. My initial diagnosis was that I would no longer be independent. Working with the healthcare team at Toronto Rehab, I underwent intensive neuro and physical rehabilitation, and speech therapy.

My vision is permanently impaired, but my eyes have been opened. Healing involved embracing mindfulness and having a deep awareness of the connection between my mind and body. Feeling inspired I started to paint. Art allowed me to share part of myself and explore courage through creativity.

On Instagram: mindovermountains.insta