Tenderness Among Thorns

About this piece

Mike Gedj’s close study brings rounded green leaves and pointed thorns into focus against richly mottled bark. Shallow depth of field softens the edges, drawing attention to the contrast between fleshy growth, sharp projections, and intricate patches of lichen.

The story

I moved closer until the trunk filled the frame and the wider landscape slipped away. What held my attention was the closeness of opposites: rounded leaves beside sharp thorns, smooth green surfaces against bark broken into tiny maps. Light caught the leaf edges and warmed the yellow patches beneath them. I wanted to stay with that small arrangement, where growth and protection shared the same narrow space.