For thousands of years, humanity and plant life have nurtured one another. Admired for their natural beauty, medicinal qualities, symbolism, and significance to various cultural traditions and values; plants and flowers continue to serve as a compelling source of inspiration for artists. 

The WATER YOUR ROOTS Collection is the creative manifestation of this coexistence, demonstrating how a new generation of artists is committed to the preservation of culture and tradition. Teen artists in After School Matters’ Intro to Printmaking program were prompted to use the plant motif to reconnect with their traditions and personal stories, reflecting on how nature and culture are deeply linked, and use art to explore that relationship. 

For the first time, teens not only created the designs themselves, but also printed their designs onto the garments in ASM’s screenprinting studio. Every piece is therefore 100% unique, with various organic imperfections that resemble the wild beauty of nature, the unique character of the artist, and the spontaneity of the creative process.