Hope in the Dark
As part of my 2022 Life Stories exhibition I made three large circular collages, from papers that I printed specially for each work, and from recyled prints from my plan chest. Each of them offers a spark of hope, embodying the resilience of the human spirit, the regenerative cycle of nature or the transformative power of change.
Hope in the Dark was inspired both by Rebecca Solnit’s book of the same name, and Merlin Sheldrakes’s book Entangled Life. From a lifetime of protest, resistance and passionate writing in support of minority rights, environmental campaigns, and social justice, Solnit counters despair with hope, urging that there is no alternative to persevering. She writes that change happens in the shadows, often through the small apparently insignificant connections which help to build strong resilient communities.
Merlin Sheldrake writes about the interconnecting fungal mycelium network in the soil which helps to support healthy plant communities and plays an essential rĂ´le in biodiversity.
In my piece the mycelium network of silver threads around the dark margins link communities together creating the potential of transformational change. Tree roots grow outwards from the centre of light to the periphery drawing nourishment from the mycelial threads and reaching out to distant clusters of cells.
Full Circle follows the life cycle of an amaryllis plant, from the seed in the centre, through the delveloping leaves, the exuberance of the spectacular flowers, to their gradual fading and the production and ripening of the seeds for the next generation.
Perilous represents small migrant boats around the horizon, tossed on the turbulent waves. The light of the moon in the centre offers hope for their safe haven.
Full Circle is available as a greetings card