AN UNSOVEREIGN LIFE
Sovereignty: It is the ability of a nation, or a people, or one individual to rule itself; to hold together as an entity or a self, to maintain its Oneness.
What happens when we lose sovereignty? When internal systems break their connections and begin to crumble, when formative boundaries are breached? Do we create new connections and expand our boundaries to creatively incorporate the changes, becoming more complicated, more resilient, more open? Or does the tension of these changes force destructive fissures, or a shutting down, leading to a governing framework or body politic or body that no longer feels comfortable or sound or even viable?
For the past year, I have been exploring just these questions in a series of ink drawings, each of which started with a basic figure or form (all taken from existing photos or paintings or people on the street) and then expanded, altered and morphed them in unexpected ways.
The results were sometimes intriguing and sometimes confusing, while at other times the finished drawings suggest the beginning of some new life form that may or may not survive the transformation.
What happens when we lose sovereignty? When internal systems break their connections and begin to crumble, when formative boundaries are breached? Do we create new connections and expand our boundaries to creatively incorporate the changes, becoming more complicated, more resilient, more open? Or does the tension of these changes force destructive fissures, or a shutting down, leading to a governing framework or body politic or body that no longer feels comfortable or sound or even viable?
For the past year, I have been exploring just these questions in a series of ink drawings, each of which started with a basic figure or form (all taken from existing photos or paintings or people on the street) and then expanded, altered and morphed them in unexpected ways.
The results were sometimes intriguing and sometimes confusing, while at other times the finished drawings suggest the beginning of some new life form that may or may not survive the transformation.
An Unsovereign Life, 2022
Wood panel, ink, acrylic paint
24" x 24"
An Unsovereign Life II, 2022
Wood panel, ink, acrylic paint
24" x 24"
An Unsovereign Life III, 2022
Watercolor paper, ink
Framed
30"h x 31"w x 1.5"d
An Unsovereign Life IV, 2022
Watercolor paper, ink
Framed
30"h x 31"w x 1.5"d
An Unsovereign Life V, 2022
Watercolor paper, ink
Framed
30"h x 31"w x 1.5"d
An Unsovereign Life VI, 2022
Watercolor paper, ink
Framed
30"h x 31"w x 1.5"d
IN PRIVATE COLLECTION
An Unsovereign Life VII, 2022
Watercolor paper, ink
Framed
31"h x 43.5"w x 1.5"d
An Unsovereign Life VIII, 2022
Watercolor paper, ink
Framed
40.75"h x 55.5"w 1.5"d
SOLD
An Unsovereign Life IX, 2022
Watercolor paper, ink
24" x 24"
An Unsovereign Life X, 2022
Watercolor paper, ink
Framed
30"h x 31"w x 1.5"d
An Unsovereign Life XI, 2022
Watercolor paper, ink
24" x 24"
An Unsovereign Life XII, 2022
Watercolor paper, ink
Framed
30"h x 31"w x 1.5"d