Winds of Change is a visual meditation on a world in flux, where the forces of upheaval: social, political and personal move across the landscape like a gathering storm. The Watcher stands alert bearing witness to the chaos. Meanwhile, above crows take flight propelled by invisible currents, with urgency, sounding the alarm.
For me the chosen background is intentionally ambiguous. Is it an opening, signaling the dawn of truth and justice or a closing into further darkness? Our foundational rights to due justice once assumed to be stable are at risk. The fragility of our current moment cannot be tolerated or ignored.
The Watcher is not a passive observer but stands as the guardian it sees what is being lost: fairness, transparency, decency and most importantly the presumption of justice and due process. Meanwhile the crows fly in warning carrying the momentum of collective resistance. The dark silhouettes against a turbulent sky ask what work is there still to do to protect what is essential?
With Winds of Change I offer a visual space to reckon with chaos. Whether the light is opening or closing depends on what we are willing to see and how we choose to respond.
Winds of Change
20.5 x 41
Digitally altered photo of an apple pie in a handled basket. Flying birds float above the surface throwing shadows. The Watcher is heavily stitched and sits above the surface using trapunto.
How clever that you started with an image of apple pie. The phrase ‘hell in a handbasket’ crossed my mind. Beautifully created and written work, Jacque.
Jacque, I looked at the full-size picture from a distance across the room and unfocussed my eyes. Your Watcher stood vigilant, at the opening of a tunnel that burrowed out of site, light deep within reflecting back onto the receding wall. It gave me the feeling that there is hope, and that there are those who will watch and monitor and not forget what happens in the current darkness.