Documenting Renewal In The Lands of Fire

This September, I went to Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu to photograph signs of life and renewal after the January fires.

It was overwhelming and solemn; in Altadena, my only real companion was a lone, mangy coyote on one street.

Though the area is open to the public, most residents have been forced to leave, their land deemed unsafe.

In the time it takes to gestate a human, still only a few homes are being reconstructed.

So many for sale signs and half-finished construction dotted the landscape…..and generally otherwise, it was sad how desolate and abandoned so much of the space remains, despite how much love, life, and memories once ran through each street.

But what struck me most were the quiet signs of resilience coming from nature, the land itself guiding the way……

Flowers and plants rose from charred earth.

New bright green limbs of cacti poking out from blacked remains.

A couple of bring yellow birds perched on a charred branch whistling the most pristine bird song.

Life choosing and fighting to live again.

Full recovery is still far off, but this feels like the first step toward rejuvenation.

I was reminded of California wildflowers, many of which need fire to germinate.

I love that metaphor—out of destruction, new life insists on becoming.

May this land soon be resplendent with flowers, homes, new memories, and renewal.

As part of this project, I will continue documenting this regrowth over time, merging these photos with textures of abstract paintings I created post-fires - to create a series of fine art photo composites.

A few of these were previewed on Friday, Sept 26th at Sanctuary : Sanctuary City at Park + Lex Studios…But I plan to create 50 or more photo composites which I will print onto chiffon and create textile flag sculptures.

They will eventually turn into a bigger installation to debut next year, that honors the resilience for this city.

I’ll keep you updated as this develops.

Till then, be strong. And remember to use nature as a guide.

“By Way of Fire” - Altadena - Faith-Ann Young