“Sonder” captures the profound revelation that every person we encounter leads a life as intricate and multi-dimensional as our own, a notion coined by John Koenig in The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. The artwork is designed not only to illustrate this depth but also to make it felt, as viewers must actively search for the right perspective to fully appreciate its meaning—mirroring the real-life challenge of perceiving others' inner complexities. This discovery is intentional, requiring the viewer to engage deeply, reflecting how understanding others often demands time and intention.

Through a construction of wooden slats, each one painted and set at a different depth, Sonder creates a portrait that only comes into focus when observed from specific angles. These shifting slats represent the layered experiences, memories, and identities that each person carries, largely invisible at a surface glance. The spatial arrangement symbolizes the distance between people’s outward appearances and their inner lives, with each slat contributing an essential, albeit fragmented, part to the full picture of a person.

Further, by placing two distinct faces on opposing sides of the slats, the artwork reinforces the shared humanity that exists beyond our differences. These dual portraits—interdependent, inseparable—express that even the most divergent lives are intrinsically linked. The dual faces represent the mutual empathy required to see beyond one’s own perspective and recognize the depth in others. Sonder, then, is a visual and experiential meditation on human connection, urging us to look beyond the immediate and familiar to grasp the richness in others.