COTTON

In Uzbekistan — Cotton, John Black reflects on peace through a symbol deeply rooted in the country’s cultural and historical identity. Cotton — often referred to as “white gold” — becomes both image and metaphor, representing continuity, labor, and quiet resilience. Rendered in layered forms, the cotton branches appear structured yet softened by transparency and color shifts. The composition balances clarity with fragmentation, suggesting a state where stability is maintained through subtle tension rather than force. Part of the PEACE series, the work presents peace not as a static condition, but as something cultivated over time — embedded in everyday life, shaped by history, and sustained through balance.