Nature's Design

 

Art as Work is pleased to present Nature’s Design, a group installation conceived by the Maryland artists Julicia Morales, Beatriz Mendez Perez, Inioluwa Sobule, and Tori Morris.

Our exhibition is a series of artworks that integrate various elements of nature into one shared space. We were interested in displaying the beauty of nature through our art in a naturalistic environment that is also comforting and invites you to stay and reflect while you bask in the beauty of both nature and art.

The first artwork is called “Lover Girl’s Philautia” by Julicia Morales. Lover Girl is a female whose most curious moments in life are constantly surrounded by feelings of love and emotions. These may capture beautiful and wholesome moments, but love is not always this way. In the wake of pursuing these experiences, she witnesses the unspoken side of the truth of Love. This piece is surrounded by the love type of Philautia. This is a Greek word meaning Self-love, ranging from a healthy self-esteem and appreciation to destructive narcissism. In this setting, Lover Girl (LG) is looking out into the beyond. She is at one with herself in that moment and I wanted that to connect with how I feel about nature. It's something comforting and natural which so many people can connect with as well. “Lover Girls Philautia” is about feeling that breeze and accepting yourself in a healthy, positive way. 

Lover Girl's Philautia, Acrylic on Canvas, 2025

The second artwork explores the contrast between vibrant colors and the presence of living elements. The flowers form a border around the piece, symbolizing the natural world that often inspires artistic creation. As the flowers drift away from the edges, they represent a return to nature, moving beyond the confines of unnatural elements and rejoining the environment they originated from.

                                                                                   Tori - Flowers, 2025

The third artwork is called “Eve’s Basket” by Beatriz Mendez Perez. Eve’s Basket is based on the story of Adam and Eve in Christian Literature. My piece focuses more on Eve because she is the one who ate from the forbidden tree. In most interpretations of the story, Eve ate an apple, which is why I added the fruit to be hanging from the basket. Dangling from the basket are beads that are red and skull shaped, symbolizing the fall from grace, which opened the doors to sin, bloodshed, and death. This all connects to the nature of humanity and how we influence the world, using one of nature's more noticeable fruits, apples, and using moss to resemble the pasture around us. The beadings represent the bloodshed and effect humans have on the soil we all live on, from wars to the contribution we humans give to global warming. 

Eve's Basket, 11 x 11 metal basket, moss, fake apples and grapes, 

red/skull beads, Brass Craft Wire, Leather string

The fourth artwork is a family portrait by the artist Inioluwa, rendered in acrylic on canvas. Set against the serene backdrop of a beach, the painting captures a happy moment shared by the artist's family, emphasizing the emotional warmth and connection among its members. Through the use of cool tones, Inioluwa evokes a tranquil atmosphere that contrasts yet complements the intimate, heartfelt scene. The piece reflects a balanced relationship between human connection and the calming presence of nature.

Acrylic on Canvas 16 x 20in

Inioluwa Sobule currently lives and works in Westminster, Maryland.

Beatriz Mendez Perez currently lives and works in Westminster, Maryland.

Tori Morris currently lives and works in Westminster, Maryland

Julicia Morales currently lives and works in Westminster, Maryland.