Body Voyage
I have been
on a journey of self-discovery of identity as reflected in my body of
art since graduating from Brock University in St. Catharine in 1989.
My work explores the notions of identity as it relates to the body,
femininity, home, consciousness, emotions, and spirituality.
Part of my identity is a connection with water as a result of: living near Lake Ontario; Acadian family in Tracadie, New Brunswick; as a competitive swimmer and as a vacationing snorkeler; and our bodies being made of water. I use water to describe metaphorically life’s journey. My art works reflects this journey as: drifting, keeping afloat, Venus, Monet’s Les Nymphs, clam digging clan, storms, travel, mastery, well spring, meditation, erosion, fountains, sea shells, etc… The concept of water provides me with a wide range of avenues to explore.
I am currently returning to the swimmer image as a metaphor for yoga meditation. This work was inspired by my underwater snorkeling pictures of our 2004 Dominican trip and by the spiritual wisdom of Hindu Yogi Paramahansa Yogananda. Yogananda’s writings contain much symbolism of water for union with the Creator and Universal Consciousness identity. I have been practicing his meditation techniques since 1999 and this new path of identity is informing my art and life.
Monet wrote of his waterlilies “I was once tempted to use this waterlilies theme for the decoration of a salon: extending along the walls, they were to convey a unitary impression, the illusion of an endless whole, a wave devoid of skyline and shore…This room would provide a refuge for undisturbed meditation in the midst of a blossoming aquarium.” Like Monet, I hope to convey a sense of an aquarium with the blueness of the waters and the stillness of the figures and fishes stimulating vibrations of peace and calmness in the room. I am using my experience of snorkeling to create works that speak about yoga science such as light floatation of the body, focus concentration on breath and meditative state of being one with the world. Like Yoga, snorkeling is a very peaceful and meditative activity that leaves one with a greater feeling of peace and oneness.
Part of my identity is a connection with water as a result of: living near Lake Ontario; Acadian family in Tracadie, New Brunswick; as a competitive swimmer and as a vacationing snorkeler; and our bodies being made of water. I use water to describe metaphorically life’s journey. My art works reflects this journey as: drifting, keeping afloat, Venus, Monet’s Les Nymphs, clam digging clan, storms, travel, mastery, well spring, meditation, erosion, fountains, sea shells, etc… The concept of water provides me with a wide range of avenues to explore.
I am currently returning to the swimmer image as a metaphor for yoga meditation. This work was inspired by my underwater snorkeling pictures of our 2004 Dominican trip and by the spiritual wisdom of Hindu Yogi Paramahansa Yogananda. Yogananda’s writings contain much symbolism of water for union with the Creator and Universal Consciousness identity. I have been practicing his meditation techniques since 1999 and this new path of identity is informing my art and life.
Monet wrote of his waterlilies “I was once tempted to use this waterlilies theme for the decoration of a salon: extending along the walls, they were to convey a unitary impression, the illusion of an endless whole, a wave devoid of skyline and shore…This room would provide a refuge for undisturbed meditation in the midst of a blossoming aquarium.” Like Monet, I hope to convey a sense of an aquarium with the blueness of the waters and the stillness of the figures and fishes stimulating vibrations of peace and calmness in the room. I am using my experience of snorkeling to create works that speak about yoga science such as light floatation of the body, focus concentration on breath and meditative state of being one with the world. Like Yoga, snorkeling is a very peaceful and meditative activity that leaves one with a greater feeling of peace and oneness.