Series: Water
Water. I thought about this vast topic one spring as I immersed my hands in a sink of murky dishwater. How do we perceive water? I began by questioning others on their perception of this vast topic. A water taxi driver describes water as his livelihood. He compares the sensation of navigating a boat on the ocean to swimming in it. The first is a conflict for control and direction, while the second is a submission to the forces of wave and current. A roofer describes a trickle of water dripping through a roof. Just a small leak can wreak havoc on a large man-made structure, yet continue to elude repair. An environmentalist stands in reverence of a molecule that at one moment is a small creek that sustains all manner of life and the next is a raging flood that destroys all in its path.
Through painting I am exploring the current political, biological, and social elements of water using the human figure and its surroundings to introduce specific themes. I take a single concept under the heading of water such as the global unequal distribution. The theme is considered for its merit and potential to state an opinion. Why is there such an unequal distribution? Could this imbalance be a metaphor or direct result of the unequal distribution of wealth globally? I then convert each theme into one to two tableaus using primarily a solitary figure and its surrounding objects and environment. An obese woman sits on an "illusive" inflatable chair surrounded by a sink, a glass full of water, and a succulent plant. Her head and face are draped with a rose coloured handkerchief. This image is juxtaposed to its partner piece, a thin male who slouches on a stool in a downcast pose. He is positioned beside an empty glass and a cactus. Four empty flowerpots line the top of the television set behind him.
In my own examination of the subject of water I began to explore additional ways of understanding it: All living things need water and are made up of more than 50% water. Too little water and we die of thirst. Too much water and we drown. Humankind has adopted water into its many ancient spiritual ceremonies as well as the more modern quest for youth and revitalization. We witness its transformations. We harness its power. Our earth’s surface is dominated by a growing body of water in a fragile balance with a shrinking land mass.
Water is also one of today’s most contentious topics. Who owns it? Fresh, clean water is the future’s most important commodity. On a worldwide basis, access and distribution are already unbalanced. As Canadians, we live in a country with excess potable water per capita. International demands are placing pressure to “share the wealth” in answer to their own water needs, as we are scrambling to figure out our stance on water exports. Water is a victim of our collective abuse, misuse and pollution. People seem more willing to be responsible when there is money to be made, rather than when there is an ecosystem to preserve.
How can we not see water as one of the most important, diverse, and essential elements? It is an invaluable source of life. An unending source of metaphor. An increasing source of conflict. Ultimately, I am examining how water is life and, like life, is all encompassing and ever present.