November Ship

Oil on Canvas, Feltham, 2002

59cm x 134cm

November Ship is a tool for us to remember the many experiences we have had over the years. Guadalupe comments: “Thinking of that particular month, I opened my eyes to a vast reality, as I imagined my mother walking down the street once again. It was in November [of 1995] that she had her accident. I could not believe it at the time. I just asked: please tell me carefully, so that I can listen to the sound of sadness.”

This ship is coming to its destination but doesn’t know how it is going to be when it gets there. It’s like the end of your life, as a journey, when you still don’t know whether that journey will carry on.

You can almost hear the storm behind the ship: it looks so scary. Sometimes, reality can seem this scary too, as if we are in the middle of a rough sea. Guadalupe adds, “Sometimes I wish I could save lives on this journey.” The black sea is rough and wild, like seeing pain through our eyes.

Exhibitions

• Feltham, May 02