Ascension

Ascension

2026
Pencil, archival ink and gold leaf on paper

Unframed: 25 × 30 cm
Framed: 40x 50 cm

Title: Ascension

Medium: Pencil and archival ink pen with gold leaf accents on canvas sheet.

Artist Statement

Ascension explores the moment where strength, grace, and transformation converge. A crane rises from still waters with wings outstretched, suspended between earth and sky, embodying the eternal desire to move beyond limitation and toward possibility.

Rendered through thousands of meticulously drawn marks, the work balances precision with movement. Every feather contributes to a sense of upward momentum, while the rippling water below anchors the bird to the physical world. This tension between grounding and flight reflects one of nature's most enduring dualities: the coexistence of stability and freedom.

The gold leaf elements introduce a symbolic layer to the composition. The radiant disc behind the crane evokes both the sun and a sacred halo, transforming a fleeting natural gesture into a timeless emblem of renewal and aspiration. Gold has long represented illumination, transcendence, and permanence; here it signifies the inner light that guides growth and transformation.

Throughout many cultures, cranes are revered as symbols of longevity, wisdom, resilience, and spiritual elevation. In Ascension, Julie Baum draws upon these associations to create a work that speaks to perseverance and self-discovery. The bird's poised ascent becomes a metaphor for the courage required to embrace change while remaining connected to one's origins.

Through Ascension, Julie Baum invites viewers to reflect upon their own journeys of growth and transformation. The work serves as a reminder that every act of becoming begins with a single step forward, a moment of trust, and the willingness to rise.