In It Took A While To Get Here a figure stands in the foreground wearing a mining helmet, the light from it illuminating their face. Behind them lies a chaotic landscape—a mass of objects, memories, and experiences they’ve had to traverse. This piece captures a journey marked by struggle, perseverance, and resilience, offering a visual metaphor for the often unseen, internal work it takes to navigate life’s complexities.

The mining helmet is a deliberate choice, symbolizing the process of digging deep, unearthing hidden layers, and facing what lies beneath. It is a tool that allows the wearer to see in the dark, suggesting that the journey to self-awareness often involves venturing into the unknown or confronting parts of ourselves we might prefer to ignore. Here, the person in the foreground has equipped themselves to explore, reflect, and confront—ready to illuminate what might have been buried.

The background is filled with “stuff,” a deliberately vague yet encompassing term. It can be interpreted as memories, emotional baggage, unresolved conflicts, or even fragments of past identities. These elements crowd the space, reminding us of the weight of the past and the effort required to push through it. They act as obstacles but also as markers of progress, showing how far the figure has come. Each piece of clutter tells a story, and each is a testament to the long, often winding path toward understanding and growth.