‘Komorebi’ is a Japanese word that means the dance of sunlight filtered through tree leaves. 

This collection of paintings is based on a series of abstract photographs Al has taken hiking around Victoria, mainly at Mt Donna Buang. These paintings show the joy, colour and beauty of nature, and how wonderful it is to be among the trees, feeling the sunlight streaming through the leaves and warming your skin. They are a representation of light and the spirit of nature that is always waiting for us, if we are open to listening to it. Nature reminds us of our true way of being, if we are willing to pay attention. Nature is effortless and when we immerse our senses in it, we too become effortless, we let go of our resistances and certainties, and allow life to flow. The paintings express a hope for a better future, where people are gentle with nature and each other.

Trauma and grief have visited Al from a young age and nature has always been a peaceful return to home. The feeling of being in solitude in nature, away from technology, sharp edges, loud noises, flashing lights, and crowded spaces allows you to become yourself. To put down any masks you are wearing, any filters that are obscuring your view. In nature there is no need to perform for anyone, worry about your appearance, exhaust yourself, or improve yourself, nature has no expectations of you and you are allowed to simply be. You can tread outside of your frantic world and witness a vastness, feel unity with the world and let yourself slip from your memory. Nature is always teaching us to be still, to be patient, and showing us how to transform.
In contrast with the rest of the Komorebi collection, the final piece Komorebi in paint no.10 is violent, burning, suffering - there is no peace here. Hopefully one day the children of Palestine can watch the sunlight streaming through tree leaves instead of bombs streaming from the sky.