Clothesline, Borderline, Frontline. Mixed Media on Wood. 36 ⅝" x 36". 2022.
Clothesline, Borderline, Frontline. Mixed Media on Wood. 36 ⅝" x 36". 2022.
Above: Full Image.
Clothesline, Borderline, Frontline, in that order. While the title has been changed and switched around many times, the message has remained the same. Each of these lines has been seen or associated with before, during, or after a war. Most notably in this regard, the viewers are invited to reflect on the journey of starting at home and going off to one. The strung string is seen both as a symbol for the cozy reminiscence of drying clothes on the line, but also as a barrier crossed or planted before soldiers. The same can be said for the woodwork, lath from my family's home built in the early 1900's. The idea of something built, destroyed, and built back up is intertwined with war's history, the barracks, as well as the idea of home. With either material though, lines have been crossed.
As for heights of nails, nail placement, and nail size, I have considered them as soldiers. Some still stand, some stand half cast, and some are nailed all the way in. They are reminders of our brave Service Men and Women.
This work was part of my Bachelor of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition: "Honour" * "Dishonour", where the exhibition focused on how to honor my nation's Veterans and Current Service Members. To learn more about the show, click on the link above, or click here.