Last Gasp

In the Chihuahuan Desert, this blooming agave stands at the end of its life and in the fullness of its purpose. After decades of patient survival, it sends all it has stored into a final flowering stalk, offering nectar, shelter, and the promise of seed. Rain, starlight, and the presence of a small bird transform the scene into something both fragile and profound. What moved me most was not loss, but generosity. Even as the plant gives itself away, it becomes a source of life for what comes next. Last Gasp is about that quiet truth: endings can also be acts of grace, renewal, and hope.

Last Gasp was awarded first prize at the At Night international exhibition at the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine, Texas in 2021.