Monument to the Wise Peel

The Concept

A nutrient-rich orange peel, usually discarded, becomes a metaphor for life’s forgotten layers, like the wisdom of elders.

Monument to the Wise Peel explores the often-overlooked layers of wisdom and identity through the metaphor of orange peels, typically discarded, yet rich in nutrients. In this installation, the peels of oranges and tangerines are presented as sculptural forms, abstracted yet familiar, evoking the vitality, memory, and resilience embedded in aging bodies and minds.

Rooted to the ground, these forms take up space boldly. Some coil protectively inward, while others stretch outward, mimicking the way a peel might land once released. They assert the dignity and complexity of the cast-off, asking viewers to reconsider what is left behind.

In many cultures, citrus fruits symbolize health, abundance, and renewal. The peel, though not always eaten, contains the highest concentration of vitamins, just as the elderly in society hold layers of lived experience, intuition, and ancestral knowledge. Too often, this wisdom is ignored or cast aside, especially in fast-moving, youth-focused urban life. This work is a tribute to that intrinsic, unpolished, and essential knowledge.