Ap3h (Home), 2024.
Mixed Media. Purchase

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Visual Art by Fawaz Sakaw
Prose by Arianna Maggio

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the lone wolf is not as straightforward as you think (and neither are you)

the glorification of the lone wolf is sorely misconstrued, if you ask me. of course we think that the idea of the lone wolf is to be admired – we’re an individualistic society constantly capitalizing upon the lives of animals we do not bother to understand.

a cursory search on google will tell you that the lone wolf doesn’t need permission from others, is stronger on his own, and trusts her own instincts. while parts of these sentiments may be accurate, the overall metaphor is shoddy at best.

little do we care to realize, the lone wolf doesn’t just leave their pack because they’re caught up in a fraught state of angst – it’s often forced, and there are calculated risks involved. if a pack is starving in famine, or the competition for a reproductive partner is significant, young wolves will then depart in pursuit of a mate, not because being with a pack inherently makes them weaker or holds them back. in fact, they become more vulnerable to threats outside of pack conflict. hunting is harder; there is no promise of a mate that is even out there waiting. ultimately, their journey is necessary to maintain their population – the end goal is reunification, reconnecting, rebuilding; not a life of solitude.

and this pursuit is relentless – a study of wolves fitted with gps collars found that the smallest mean distance traveled by solo wolves was 48 miles. the same study found that the farthest distance a lone wolf has been known to travel was 700+ miles between oregon and california, only to result in being killed by a car. knowing that journey ended in such loss feels gutting; and yet it goes to show that a journey of total solitude can be thankless, no revelations or glory to show for it.

and so i think of how we can fall into these patterns of convincing ourselves and believing that we are better off alone, that the best way to deal with things – pain, grief, betrayal, resentment – is to cut ourselves off from others with no set intention of letting anyone back in. that is not a lone wolf at all – that is an invisible human.

i am not advocating for codependence or enmeshment for anyone – i’ve been in that place myself; i know the hurt that is wrought upon those who stay and those who work to escape. rather, i am grieving how lonely it is to wrap ourselves in isolation thinking it is the only way we will ever be truly safe. to flee in the face of conflict is one of our most primal, animalistic responses – yet if we do not return to or redefine home, we will always be running away.

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Arianna Maggio has never been laid back a day in her life – she has always been a passionate and curious observer with a great deal of feelings and a desire to share and connect with others on a deeper level. she derives inspiration for her writing from her own experiences of being immersed in and witnessing nature, her work with human beings as a clinical social worker by day, and her life growing up and existing as a deeply sensitive person. Arianna utilizes her reflective writing to explore what it means to be alive when trapped in a pattern of stifling the foundation of our wildest human forms – our capacity to feel deeply, to heal and be perceived in community, and to hold space for being complex and without clear answers. Arianna is particularly fascinated by the fierce and humbling creatures of our planet earth that continue to persist and adapt despite tremendous wounding, challenge, and loss; she believes the same can exist for the wild humans tucked deep within our hearts.

Fawaz Sakaw | My art explores the complex nature of human emotions and experiences through mixed media on wood and canvas. Through the use of acrylic paints, fabrics, papers, and found materials, I construct textured, relief-like pieces that convey the depths of these emotions. My choice of wood as a canvas and my method of layering materials allow my artworks to emerge from the surface, inviting the audience to not only see but also touch and feel the energy within.

Central to my work is the symbolism of balloons, representing the emotions and traumas that we carry with us in life. These balloons serve as a visual metaphor for the struggles we hold onto, often without realizing the impact they have on our daily lives. Drawing from my personal experiences, I seek to convey a sense of healing and release through my art, as I have found catharsis in letting go of my own traumas.

As my art progresses, I am transitioning from depicting recognizable faces to a more surreal style, reflecting the evolution of my own experiences and artistic journey. I aspire for my work to continue to evolve and resonate with viewers, offering them a sense of shared healing and understanding. Ultimately, I hope that the stories I share within my art serve as a source of solace and reflection for others, just as they have been for me.”

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1000 Words | Home Not Home Artists + Writers

Noa Alemán + Tamar Brooks • Jacqueline Almaguer + Alanis Castillo Caref • Lexi Alvarado + Isabela Ortega • Danielle Arend + Janina Gatilao • Sofia Brunwin + Spencer Hutchinson • Andrea Cole + Rocio Franco • Lydia Collins + Tarnynon Onumonu • Gregory Diaz + Irvin Ibarra • Danielle Dykerhouse + Betsy Van Die • Jonathan Espinoza + ben-aki • Jaymes Fedor + Maria Requena • Samantha Franco + Angeles Rangel • Ines Gardea + Angelica Davila • Frank Geiser + Penny Mann • Evelyn Hernandez + Valeria Osornio • Stephanie Hererra + Neha Chawla • Ivana Jarmon + Theo Sullivan • Vivian Jones + Luz Silva • Lewis Lain + Thulasi Seshan • Cesar Luna + benedicta m badia • Marie Magnetic + Jasmine Rodriguez • Delisha Mckinney + Paloma Velasco • Diana Noh + Juj-Lepe • Andrew Rehs + Corbett Berger • Clau Rocha + Maria Jose Ramos Villagra • Amyia Ross Brittanii Batts (Tanae b) • Fawaz Sakaw + Arianna Maggio • Lucero Sanchez + Clay-Cofre • Ramin Takloo-Bighash + Yiwen-Lyu • TEEL ONE + Melody Contreras • Pamela Trejo + Kim Yeoh • Cindy Uriostegui + Scum Drop • Ami Vasilopoulos + Stephanie Cruz Rincon • Ivy Waegel + Aryn Hills • Emily Schroeder Willis + Angelica Flores • Raine Yung + Micaela Petkus