Studio 7117 spent last February exploring histories—those that are visual, tactile, and deeply personal. Through the opening of Zoe Perry’s myswamp and the community energy of the monthly Art Walk, the space became a sanctuary for those navigating ancestral trauma and modern-day burnout.

The month began with the quiet weight of Zoe Perry’s debut exhibit. For Perry, an interdisciplinary artist whose family ties stretch back to Cambodia, the work is both a literal and spiritual exploration. She explained how the title myswamp is a reference to the environment where the lotus, a prevalent symbol in Khmer culture, begins its life. She sees the swamp as a site of growth and potential. In a series of five ink-on-paper works, Perry creates a cohesive narrative that depicts a woman and a lotus emerging together from a swamp.

"There’s a little bit more of a heaviness, but I wanted to have this kind of sticky liquid. That's where the swamp part comes in,” said Perry. “My goal here was to kind of show [the woman] standing up out of it and kind of to rise a little bit, but it's still difficult."

Her work, rendered mostly in black and white to avoid the “distraction” of color, serves as a link to the history of Khmer people. Perry spoke of the cultural disconnect that is handed down through generations when difficult choices have to be made.

"Staying a part of the culture wasn't important, because [my ancestors] were gradually prioritizing survival over things," said Perry, referring to her journey of connecting with her culture.

By focusing on the lotus, specifically six pods to represent her mother’s age when she fled Cambodia, Perry is reclaiming a sense of self that felt lost in the transition to America.

"Being able to learn more about my culture and make art about it makes me feel like I can practice it in [my] routine. I’m validating myself as well as exploring different parts of it."

That theme of self exploration through creative work was also visible in the Pioneer Square Art Walk later in the week. While Perry’s work deals with the weight of the past, the visitors at the Art Walk were grappling with the weight of the present, one such visitor shared her own journey of moving through career paths.

After five years in public health policy, this visitor is now pivoting towards creative technology, currently working on a space-themed mini-gold course. For her, the shift symbolizes a necessary move for her own wellness.

The conversations I had with these two women highlighted a shared reality. Whether you are creating physical art or building an interactive golf course. The act of making provides a space in a world that can often feel isolating. The advice I received from both creatives mirrored as well: It takes time to find your place, and what you’re experiencing “now” will simply inform your future endeavors.

As February came to a close, Studio 7117 remains a testament to the fact that creativity and wellness are intertwined. Through speaking with two artists with different journeys, I’ve learned that maybe a swamp isn’t as negatively connotated as I had first imagined. That murky water is exactly what allows us to rise.