Annalise Gratovich's intricate woodcut prints, on display in Carrying Things From Home, blend nature with memories of her Ukrainian heritage. These life-size totems, carved and dyed by hand, tell the story of displacement and resilience.

The artist’s family fled Ukraine during World War II, carrying only what they could physically carry. This act of survival has become a source of inspiration for Gratovich's prints, which explore personal identity and ancestral ties through totemic figures adorned with flora and fauna motifs reminiscent of Ukrainian embroidery.

Each work in the series is a labor of love, taking up to six months to carve and requiring more than 2,000 pieces of hand-dyed paper. The process is communal too; printing these large-scale works requires four people working together on a press that measures over four by eight feet. This collaborative effort adds an element of fun and community engagement.

The exhibition runs until June 28 in Santa Fe, followed by a residency in Thailand where Gratovich will present at a conference on the art of bookbinding. Her work not only preserves Ukrainian traditions but also speaks to universal themes of home and belonging, making it relatable for all.