"The first snowball I froze was put in my mother's deep freeze when I was in my early 20s"

Andy Goldsworthy, a distinguished British carver and land artist, typically works with natural products and explores the ephemeral nature of the environment in his art. The quote, "The first snowball I froze was put in my mom's deep freeze when I remained in my early 20s", provides a look into Goldsworthy's reflective approach to the natural world and his art.

The act of freezing a snowball is symbolic of recording a fleeting moment. Snow, inherently transient, will ultimately melt, making it a best metaphor for the passage of time and the impermanence of life. By selecting to freeze a snowball, Goldsworthy might be making a purposeful commentary on this impermanence. He's maintaining a minute from nature, akin to taking a photograph or developing an art piece that defies its natural lifespan.

Putting it in his mother's deep freeze adds layers of significance. On a personal level, it suggests a connection to household and youth, perhaps hinting at treasured memories or a longing to hold on to simpler times. The deep freeze, a domestic device discovered in homes, contrasts dramatically with the natural, outdoor setting where snowballs are produced. This juxtaposition highlights the crossway of nature and human life, a recurring theme in Goldsworthy's work.

Furthermore, the mention of being in his early 20s represents a formative period. It's a time when people explore their identities and enthusiasms. For Goldsworthy, this relatively basic act of maintaining a snowball shows his early artistic dispositions, hinting at a developing relationship with nature that continues to notify his work.

In essence, this quote encapsulates themes of memory, transience, and the crossway of the natural and domestic worlds. It offers a window into Goldsworthy's mind, illustrating how even basic acts can be imbued with extensive creative and philosophical significance.