Being back in Jerusalem in August and September was both
very challenging and very informative. It’ll take a while for it to manifest
itself in any future works. In the meanwhile all I can say is that my immediate
and on going response I hope will be a compassionate one…it makes me think of
(thanks, as always, Foy)
So what about this current body of six new works on line
for November?
Well, as usual I can see repeat patterns and recurring
motifs such as the standing stone (with the word "stone" sprayed on it by some
bored graffiti writer!). Or the carved stone hand, both of which refer
obliquely to the ubiquitous Jerusalem limestone (used for all building and
paving) while also pointing to the source of all that Jerusalem is cursed and charmed with…its sanctity…its sacredness.
In a wider sense, these works also speak of my concern for
the widening gaps between faith and science, and between different faiths on
the one hand, and our seeming lack of concern for our world on the other.
We live in a fragmented global society where bridge building
between cultures and the furthering of our understanding and appreciation of
such divergent cultures must be pursued with a non-judgemental compassion.
We live on a Fragile Earth, of which we have been given
stewardship, and which in turn supports our very existence. We would do well to
remember that.
