The Tree of Man by Kim Aukema Imthorn

About "The Tree of Man"

by Kim Aukema Imthorn

About the artwork

Painted with love, from the bottom of my heart. My new work is called 'The Human Tree' a symbol of connection, growth and hope.
In the painting, you see the earth, formed from people of all shades. No one colour dominates, because together we form the foundation of this world. Out of that earth grows a rainbow tree. Not an ordinary tree, but one in which people embrace each other. Women lovingly hugging each other. Men giving each other a warm hug. A woman in a wheelchair fully participating in the circle of love. And a man looking in the mirror and knowing deep down: I would rather be a woman.
On the bottom left, you see a caterpillar emerging as a butterfly as a symbol of freedom, transformation and the courage to be yourself.

In the heart of the tree, deep inside, you see a hole. In it, two hands touch and together they hold a seed. From that tiny seed, another rainbow tree grows. A sign that together, as human beings, we can plant positive seeds. Seeds of love, acceptance and hope. For ourselves. For each other. For the generations to come.

As a child therapist, I too often see children being bullied for being 'different'. Because they like someone of the same sex. Because they don't feel at home in their bodies. Because they colour outside the lines. This has to stop.
The Human Tree is my hope. That we, as people today, may be the fertile soil from which future generations can grow healthily and safely. That each person may emerge into who they truly are. That love knows no boxes.
Let this be the beginning of a world where we embrace rather than point at each other.