The Return (Unframed)

The Return is a reflection on memory, ancestry, and coming home. The piece features a woman with blue skin playing the mbira—an African finger piano deeply rooted in Zimbabwean culture. Her hair transforms into the branches of a tree crowned with warm orange leaves, symbolizing connection, growth, and the passage of time.

Inspired by a family trip to Zimbabwe, this work was born from a deeply meaningful experience. Half of my family is from Zimbabwe, and the reference for this piece came from a moment of quiet beauty: my sister playing the mbira during a one-on-one lesson there. Witnessing that exchange—music, heritage, and presence—sparked the creation of this piece.

The Return speaks to the feeling of reconnecting with your roots, honoring where you come from, and carrying that sense of belonging forward.

Available in three sizes:
• 4" × 6"
• 8.5" × 11"
• 18" × 24"