Stele of the Sky (#1)' engages the ancient shape of stone 'Stele' which were slabs or tablets carved to commemorate historical events and people as far back as ancient Mesopotamia. As an abstract shape, the arch references everything from gravestones to the apse of a church. It's verticality points to the sky and reminds us to think about those who came before us. My grandfather died during the COVID-19 pandemic and our family couldn't gather to remember him or say goodbye. The hospital wouldn't allow anyone in at that time. In the years since, I've been trying to understand his impact on me and say goodbye in my own way. He was a sculptor and was the first person to introduce me to art as a child. Shape and color, like music, can be a language that transcends words and allows us to approach profound loss. This piece is one of a series that explores abstraction as a tool for remembrance and memorialization.