The first thought and feeling that took over me when reading this year’s competition theme was how calm, grounded and healthy I feel whenever I take a breath of fresh air, anywhere surrounded by plenty of trees.

That feeling was rapidly replaced though, by instant anger and anxiety, waking up from my daydream, in a busy, loud and polluted city, like most of us do nowadays.

Our quality of life is impacted each day, everytime a new building replaces a majestic tree. My piece is meant to remind the viewers to save or plant more trees, build more consciously and nurture nature so that she can continue to nurture us in return.

A reaccuring motif in my piece is the teardrop, present in the shape of the base and the glass beads.

The base can also be seen as a cliff. On its edge sits the tree, like a jewel, but being almost pushed over by the mass of buildings.

Note: Entries have been not been edited or proofread to protect the integrity of the maker's original meaning.