As an artist and fashion student, I am constantly inspired by contrast and its ability to just as easily create harmony in a piece, as discord. The choice to combine the elements of nature and fire has always appealed to me due to my 
fascination with the mythical phoenix. The phoenix itself is associated with some very strong imagery which makes it an ideal candidate for inspiration. This is especially true of its death and rebirth cycle in which it bursts into flames upon reaching old age and is reborn again from the ashes; life and fire are rarely so synonymous. Through this eternal cycle, the phoenix represents immortality and a constant renewal of life. I personally relate to this ideal so much so that I have adopted it into my own daily mantra.
“Ashes, Ashes” is a representation of myself through the red LED lights dripping from its edge which symbolize the 
crackling embers of a long burning fire. This fire is what is sustaining the lush, greenery growing from the ashes of previous greenery. The cedar branches (aptly chosen based on my middle name: Cedar) used to give the piece 
structure are a representation of me “holding myself up”. The choice to present my self portrait as a caged crinoline correlates to my design aesthetic, which is primarily based in historical and fantasy costume.