Heart of Stone 磐石之心
Heart of Stone | Stone Rubbing with Silver Leaf
A stone rubbing highlighting the cracks of a heart-shaped form with silver leaf rather than concealing them. Inspired by the philosophy of scholar’s stones (gongshi), this work explores the beauty of imperfection—embracing flaws as essential to identity and strength. In Chinese tradition, scholar’s stones are treasured not for perfection but for their natural irregularities, which reveal the passage of time and the forces of nature that shaped them. Just as scholars found wisdom and inspiration in the unique contours of these stones, this piece reflects the idea that brokenness is not a weakness but a testament to endurance and transformation. By accentuating rather than disguising the fractures, Heart of Stone embodies the Daoist philosophy of embracing the natural state of things, finding beauty in impermanence, and recognizing that true strength lies in authenticity.