At the Ūd gallery,
We like to savor our coffee while taking in the incredible views of San Francisco's coastline:
Watching the pelicans showcase their fluid choreography in the sky as they glide over Ocean Beach...
And observing the twists and turns of the iconic coastal cypress trees along the Lands End Trail. These trees tell a story of resilience. Bent toward the land by Pacific winds, their branches and canopies bear the marks of time and weather, proudly showing their asymmetrical gestures.
The gardens of the Outer Richmond and Sunset neighborhoods are another delight, with locals adorning their plants with sand dollars and other quirky items, like the miniature dinosaur toys that have populated much of the landscaping.
The colorful surfboards painted in bold pink and avocado green and creative garden sculptures made out of found objects are intriguing sights in these neighborhoods. There’s always something surprising to discover.
But while We draw
Inspiration from the beauty around us, we also face the harsh realities of the world—war, injustice, and social struggle. Finding balance amidst these challenges can be difficult. We turn to the agar trees for inspiration.
When stressed, agar trees show a remarkably creative response!
These trees, when infected by certain types of fungus, protect their tissues by producing a rich aromatic resin called Ūd (pronounced "ood" as in food).
This resin, commonly known as oud or agarwood, has been prized for centuries for its complex, rich, and woody aroma and has been used in perfumes, incense, and sacred rituals.
Its scent is said to reduce stress, calm the mind, and promote relaxation, providing mental clarity and enhancing mood.
To us, this resin is a symbol of creativity and strength—a reminder that, even in the face of adversity, we can respond to life's untamed forces and challenges by tapping into our inner resources and create a dynamic, novel force capable of sparking change.
Ūd reminds us that rather than retreating into numbness or dissociation, we can choose to face life’s difficulties through the alchemy of creativity. In doing so, we are drawn into a soulful dialogue with our inner world, cultivating a deep connection that invites us to engage with our challenges and respond creatively.
And that's what we strive to do at the Ūd gallery-
to capture the essence of life's moments, whether tender or intense, and infuse them with our unique individual flavors, cultural memories, and ancestral pulses, producing a creative response grounded in courage and resilience.
