Philadelphia artist Jovace Nelson explores the dynamic relationship between built environments and natural spaces. Nelson draws on his professional background in architectural design and business management and pairs it with his artistic practice. By weaving personal stories into his plant-based wall works, he seeks to fuse his love of art and ecology with his journey of self-healing.

For his exhibition at Philadelphia International Airport, Nelson created a moss wall which is representation of his own personal journey, his family, and the defining moments of his life. His creative practice is a tribute to his family, as well as a form of therapy. The materials and motifs he employs refer to specific events—the joys and challenges of parenthood, the loss of his father, the spinal injury which left him temporarily paralyzed and the ensuing battle with surgery and physical therapy as he relearned how to walk. He states, “I seek to evoke emotion, foster kinship, and inspire a sense of wonder… At its core, my work is about transformation and cultivating beauty with purpose to create connections in every environment I touch.”

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