First Language

First Language by Nonnie Gardava is a mixed-media work exploring the concept of origin through the intersection of mark-making and organic motion. Deep blue watercolor forms bloom and dissolve across the canvas, evoking natural emergence—like ink in water or breath in air. Overlaid with a precise grid of bold red strokes, the composition introduces a sense of rhythm and structure, resembling primitive symbols or an early script.

Created for the Genesis collection, this piece reflects on the formation of meaning at its earliest stage. The contrast between fluid washes and deliberate markings suggests the coexistence of chaos and order, nature and human expression. Gardava’s work invites contemplation of language not only as communication, but as a visual gesture tied to memory, creation, and identity.