Year end project

Please scroll down to see images of my year end project. At the bottom of the post please find an interpretation of the various images.

The sculpture is titled “Unity Makes us Stronger”. This was created in response to a project which asks us to reference some aspect of bi-culturalism. The interpretation of the sculpture is straightforward with the brown referencing Maori people and the white, Pakeha / European. The colours are intermixed suggesting that through respecting each other and co-operation, society is made stronger. I have made a variety of different tower like shapes – sometimes one thing balances on another, or is attached to another piece. This suggests that we should support and rely on each other – if we do, then we can create amazing outcomes, or certainly do more than trying to do it on our own or in opposition to other people groups.

Here I am not talking about assimilation. Sometimes I have placed together several blocks of one colour, suggesting that each culture needs to feel strong and whole within itself. Unity is as important within a culture as between cultures! Unity does not mean we will never have disputes or debates – these are often healthy. But rather I am referencing a commitment to keep on working at things even when relationships get strained.

At times I have left the wood on top of the blocks bare – suggesting, that inside we are all the same, even if on the outside our physical features and cultural attitudes and beliefs make us different. To me difference is a good thing as long as it is respected and not used as a means to control or put down another person.

The 10 paintings are titled “Celebrating Culture” (numbered 1 – 10). They are a celebration of culture – a celebration which states that all cultures are worthy of enjoyment, preservation and respect. There is also a sense that this celebration arises out of the message within the sculpture – that unity within and between cultures is a good thing and worthy of celebration in itself.

While the paintings do not specifically reference cultural symbols (by not doing this, I feel this enables the viewer to interpret this in a way that suits them), they are of course bold and colourful. To me this references far more the celebration, fun and variety that culture creates in the world we live in.

In future posts I will share my creative journey during this last project for the year: I will then finish with a review of the year and look forward a little to next year.