Why Symbolism Matters in the Home

I’ve always been drawn to the idea that the objects we surround ourselves with can hold meaning beyond what we see at first glance. A piece of art can be beautiful, but it can also become something we return to — a symbol, a feeling, a reminder, or simply a quiet presence within a space.

Symbolism gives me a way to explore ideas that aren’t always easy to put into words. Through pattern, natural forms and recurring motifs, I can suggest something rather than explain it completely. I like leaving space for the viewer to bring their own experiences and associations to a piece, so that its meaning can become personal to them.

Our homes are deeply personal spaces, and I think the art we choose to live with can become part of their emotional landscape. Rather than simply filling an empty wall, a piece can create a point of connection — something that catches the eye, invites a pause and perhaps reveals something different each time we return to it.

When I’m making a piece, I don’t always begin with a fixed meaning in mind. Often the symbolism emerges through the process itself — through intuition, repetition and the relationships that develop between different forms. Sometimes I understand those connections immediately; at other times, their significance only becomes clear much later.

Perhaps that is what I value most about symbolism: it doesn’t ask for a single interpretation. It allows an artwork to hold different meanings for different people, and for those meanings to shift over time. When we choose art for our homes, we are choosing something to live alongside — and I love the idea that a piece can continue to offer something new, long after it first found its place on the wall.