06/03/2025
BQC - 3RD PLACE
UNITED WE STAND - CINDY WATKINS
This story begins with a book, a personal challenge, six years of hard work, thousands of meters of thread, and millions of stitches.
My journey started in 2017 after reading Peter Wohlleben's *The Hidden Life of Trees*. In this fascinating book, I discovered how trees, forests, and fungi are interconnected, communicating, and supporting each other through their root systems. There exists a secret world right beneath our feet.
Inspired by this knowledge, I sought a way to express it through my art practice. I wanted to set myself a challenge, so I devised a plan: I would stitch 5,000 trees while exploring the captivating subject of trees and their underground connections.
In February 2018, I launched my project and created my very first tree textile artwork. As I write this in 2024, I have completed over four thousand trees.
I never realized how long this challenge would take—it is a lot of sewing! I have improved my skills significantly; I think I could sew a tree with my eyes closed—almost. There have been moments when I questioned my sanity and wondered what I was thinking. However, this journey has been rewarding on many levels. I have more ideas than I have time to bring to life.
“United We Stand” will bring my total number of stitched trees to the amusing figure of 4,444. This is my largest tree artwork to date.
In this piece, I aimed to highlight the role of mushrooms. The mushrooms we see above ground are merely the fruiting bodies of much larger organisms. Fungi depend on living organisms for sustenance since they do not photosynthesize. Over millions of years, they have established a mutually beneficial relationship with trees. The mycelium network of fungi extends the tree's root system, enabling communication and connection with other trees. Fungi also supply trees with nitrogen, phosphorus, and other minerals, while trees provide sugars and carbohydrates. It is a win-win situation.
My goal is to complete this challenge by February 2025, and I am at this stage on track. From that very first stitch in 2018 when I started this project, I find myself grateful for this journey, the knowledge I have gained, the connections I've made with people, and the joy I derive from creating each tree.
Thank you so much for reading my story.
