By Julie Woodard
While much of my work is inspired by places I’ve lived or visited, other pieces are inspired by imagined worlds and regions I’ve yet to see.
For many years, I’ve been intrigued by saguaro cacti, and they feature prominently in my southwestern landscapes. But want to know a secret? I’ve never seen one in the flesh.
Standing as a symbol of strength and endurance, saguaros remind us of the delicate balance between humans and nature. I’ve learned that saguaros have an average of 5 arms and it can take up to 100 years to grow a single arm.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS! Saguaros are woven into the culture and traditions of the indigenous peoples of the Sonoran Desert. The Tohono O'odham have long believed, and the national legislative council officially affirmed in 2021, that saguaro cacti carry their own personhood.
Central to my creative practice is incorporating materials I’ve inherited from my ancestors. Within Reach features leather from my great grandfather, wool from my great aunt, and cotton from my mother. Repurposing family heirlooms is one way that I carry my loved ones with me and honor their memory.
It reminds me that, like the saguaro, growing slowly, arms stretched to the sky, my loved ones are still within reach.
Learning more about the people of the Sonoran Desert has further deepened my appreciation for this landscape and the resilience and interconnectedness of its people and plants. One of the greatest gifts of art is that it can transport us to places we’ve never been.
It has the power to connect us to nature, travel through time, and explore mystical realms. I cannot wait to meet a saguaro in person, but until that day, I am grateful that art provides its own sort of portal.
Shop Within Reach along with the rest Julie's collection below
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