There is a Chinese mythology of a red thread of fate that connects people who will inevitably meet in their lifetimes. I liked the idea of this invisible connection but wanted to expand it to more than just the meeting of lovers or soulmates. Maybe there is the same connection to friends, acquaintances or even events in our lives. The red thread can be followed through the book, winding in and out of randomly chosen pieces of repurposed artwork. A life story emerges with found phrases helping to answer the question of the object of life. They read:
Object of Life
Always try to hope
Flow of awakened flight,
free from sorrow,
deliver peace
Grace under pressure
Simplicity
The recovery of gratitude
is the happiness you find.
The book starts with the thread circling a house on a hill which represents a beginning. The next phase in life would be setting out from home and finding a place in the world. A feather is used a symbol of hope. The next couple of spreads represent growth in life, seeds of wisdom are planted and a leaf shape shows how the seeds have blossomed into a new life of purpose. Then comes flight, where life is in full swing and where busyness can overwhelm if not tempered with peace and finding a way to have grace under pressure. Slowing down and simplifying is the next step in life. Taking time to notice the small things. The dried leaf is representative of the details that go unnoticed until you stop and really look at all the fine lines in the veins. As life goes on, losses happen and loved ones leave us. The butterfly is a symbol of a soul in flight. The last spread shows a moon shell. I’ve always found the ocean to be a place of peace and joy. This is where gratitude for those pieces of nature can bring happiness.
The show is on display now until 1/14/2024. All the artwork can be viewed and purchased online at lawrencestreetgallery.com
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