Journey to the 9th Continent
This exhibit took a personal journey of its own over which I had very little control. It began as a series of images with narrow constraints: each had to feature my photography as well as images from a book of Japanese prints we were discarding, and it was to be called Out of Place, Out of Time. But then my personal world collapsed as my best friend entered the final chapter of her life. The images emerged nameless until I realized they represented principles that Wendy Wayne held dear in life. Wendy had traveled to all seven continents, and her experience with a stem cell transplant was so arduous, so unlike anything she had experienced before, that she equated it to traveling to an eighth continent.
In our final conversation days before her death, I suggested her passing would be a trip to a ninth continent, an idea she liked. The focus for my exhibit was born without me realizing it. In an abstract way, this show is about qualities that Wendy valued, worked ceaselessly towards, and shared with others in the many speeches she gave to youth and adults alike.
It’s not how the exhibit concept started, but just as characters in a novel will behave in ways the author didn’t intend, art will work out in ways the artist didn’t intend. So this show is for us and it’s for Wendy. It’s for us to contemplate the messages in the collages. I’ve given an explanation of the principles they represent, which we call Wendy’s Words. By “we” I mean literally the thousands in Bakersfield who called her Bakersfield’s Mother Teresa, something she disliked intensely.
Wendy was a magnificent woman.
JOURNEY TO THE NINTH CONTINENT collage, 20"x20" NFS Wendy's Words: "When one door closes, another opens." The little Japanese boat sailing off into the light of the refreshing blue moon/setting sun is carrying Wendy to whatever is next.
Love is Love collage, 18"x24", Wendy's Words: This collage was made to honor my best friend's death, in the hope of illustrating a principal she lived by. We are all worthy of respect and acceptance. This image uses my photos and Japanese prints on a background I painted on canvas.
GIVING IS RECEIVING collage, 24"x18" Wendy"s Words: "Never meet a stranger. Extend a helping hand to those you meet." The person on the right is angry that his companion is giving of their bread to the wanderer, but she knows that she will benefit also, not just because it feels good to help others, but the saying "what goes around comes around" exists for a reason."
BE NOT A STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND collage, 24"x20" SOLD Wendy's Words "Have a home that is always available for gatherings and the sharing of wisdom." The women obviously do not belong in this desert environment but seem to be trying to adapt and be part of their new home.
JUDGE NOT: Collage, 20"x20", Wendy's Words: "Commit to something bigger than yourself. Volunteer. Perform random acts of kindness." We wonder if a fair judgment has been made in this case and perhaps and act of kindness should occur. The punisher looks somewhat uncertain as if he wants to loosen the binding.
WATER WORLD: LISTEN, LEARN. collage. Wendy's Words "Listen to others thoughtfully, completely, and respectfully. You can often learn more from listening than from talking." These ladies must listen not only to each other but to the water world they are living in. We get clues and knowledge from the world around us.
OPENING DOORS: collage, 24"x24". Wendy's Words: "Ensure that the doors of opportunity open for others." There is so much going on in this image. So many connections to be made and so many ways doors of opportunity could open. Thinking of others always pays off.
POSSIBILITIES, NOT OBSTACLES collage, 24"x24" Wendy's Words "Erase the word can't from your vocabulary and see only possibilities, not obstacles." Situation seems hopeless? Look for the possibilities.
NURTURING HERITAGE collage, 24"x18". Wendy's Words "Nurture your heritage and continue to make the world a better place." Even in a land that isn't yours, you can nurture your own heritage, share it with others, and learn another culture, fostering understanding.
NO BOUNDARIES collage, 20"x20" Wendy's Words: "Take risks to enrich your life. Push yourself beyond your comfort zone. Walk as if you have a pebble in your shoe- be just a little bit uncomfortable and try new things."
JUDGE NOT: Collage, 20"x20", Wendy's Words: "Commit to something bigger than yourself. Volunteer. Perform random acts of kindness." We wonder if a fair judgment has been made in this case and perhaps and act of kindness should occur. The punisher looks somewhat uncertain as if he wants to loosen the binding.
WATER WORLD: LISTEN, LEARN. collage. SOLD Wendy's Words "Listen to others thoughtfully, completely, and respectfully. You can often learn more from listening than from talking." These ladies must listen not only to each other but to the water world they are living in. We get clues and knowledge from the world around us.
OPENING DOORS: collage, 24"x24". Wendy's Words: "Ensure that the doors of opportunity open for others." There is so much going on in this image. So many connections to be made and so many ways doors of opportunity could open. Thinking of others always pays off.
POSSIBILITIES, NOT OBSTACLES collage, 24"x24" Wendy's Words "Erase the word can't from your vocabulary and see only possibilities, not obstacles." Situation seems hopeless? Look for the possibilities.
NURTURING HERITAGE collage, 24"x18". Wendy's Words "Nurture your heritage and continue to make the world a better place." Even in a land that isn't yours, you can nurture your own heritage, share it with others, and learn another culture, fostering understanding.
NO BOUNDARIES collage, 20"x20" Wendy's Words: "Take risks to enrich your life. Push yourself beyond your comfort zone. Walk as if you have a pebble in your shoe- be just a little bit uncomfortable and try new things."