Echoes of Connection” is inspired by the third ALS research image from Hope Lives: Art for ALS—a microscopic view of a brain’s neural network. This fragile yet beautiful network reflects the essence of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which severs the connection between brain and muscles, stripping away the ability to move, speak, and breathe.
Using encaustic, I created a textured surface with blues, golds, and browns, capturing both degeneration and the hope for regeneration. The right side of the piece, with its darker, fragmented texture, represents the degeneration of motor neurons, while the lighter, more fluid left side hints at the potential for scientific discovery and healing. The human profile symbolizes an ALS patient, and the wax conveys both the breakdown of neurons and the promise of scientific breakthroughs.