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T O V I E W
a 4 minute film of The Boats of Humanity work & exhibition click this link: https://youtu.be/FvfbYOgKfTU I N S P I R A T I O N Gemma Black has been a calligrapher and artist for many years. She believes that there is an onus on artists to produce works that reflect the societies in which they live. Since commencing her career in calligraphy, Gemma has had a yearning to create an interpretation of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was drafted and proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris in 1948. Its text spoke to her and lit a spark. In 2023, the world is still troubled by many wars. There is a threat of global warming. The advances in Artificial Intelligence research appear to be outstripping the world’s ability or willingness to legislate for the greater good of humanity. There is poverty. Inspired by the words of John Steinbeck "All war is a symptom of man's failure as a thinking animal" Steinbeck firmly believed that if man were a true critical thinker, he would be able to solve problems peacefully without the necessity of going to war. Gemma has taken Steinbeck's words as the basis for recreating the thirty Articles of the Declaration believing that a solution to all perceived world, national and local problems can be found through critical thinking. Opportunity presented itself to Gemma in late 2022 when the Art Society of Tasmania very kindly approached her and offered a solo exhibition. The incentive had arrived. THE WORK: A collection of twenty-five individual artworks (H 750mm x W 565mm) on handmade Indian Khadi paper, Korean ink, Notenbolster ink, metal pens & brushes. The collection has a bespoke solander box for its conservation and preservation. THE BOATS: The painted figures represent millennia of human beings’ migration across the earth and seas. Every man, woman and child has a common ancestor and that migratory history lies within each one of us. --------------------------------------------- "All war is a symptom of mans failure as a thinking animal" John Steinbeck |
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Music by Australian Composer Carl Vine, from the soundtrack to the television mini-series The Battlers. Permission granted and graciously accepted. Oboe: David Nuttall - what a surprise! Photo (below): Lara van Raay Filmmaker / Chief Story Catcher |
