Translation of Shaker Hymn "Who Will Bow and Bend Like a Willow"

This piece invites contemplation through its graceful depiction of a willow tree balanced between delicacy and strength. A slender trunk, revealed as exposed wood panel, rises upward—an intentional nod to simplicity and using only what is necessary, in the Shaker spirit. Branches flow outward like whispered melodies, while cascading willow-like foliage, each leaf traced with fine lines, serves as both the tree’s delicate leaves and the handwritten lyrics of the hymn itself, intertwining visual and verbal expression in a gentle sense of motion and calm. Below, pencil-drawn roots emerge starkly from a dark background—gnarled and resilient—reminding us that true strength comes both from what is seen above ground and what lies hidden below.

The artwork embodies harmony, guiding the eye from the lightness of leaves and words to the complex, unseen roots. Inspired by the willow’s ability to bend without breaking, it reflects quiet endurance and openness to change while remaining deeply rooted. The layered use of acrylic, graphite, and watercolor creates a seamless narrative connecting surface and depth, inviting viewers to find their own meaning within the tree’s unfolding story.