The Painting: a diptych of a table set for tea in the midst of rubble.
The Question: In the face of ruin, what are your words of repair?
The Story: This piece began in Orquevaux, France. Shortly after the crises erupted between Israel and Palestine, I travelled overseas to attend an international artists residency at the Chateau d'Orquevaux. It was in the context of conversations with writers, poets, musicians, sculptors and painters that PeaceTalks gained momentum. What started as a painting on two canvases grew to include a curtain of thin canvas strips on which people crafted and wrote words of peace and repair. As the project took form back in Canada, now in the midst of growing global outrage, confusion and overwhelm, it also became increasingly difficult to gather these comments. The curtain of words carries many conversations that were often difficult and emotional and herein lies its gravitas.
The Installation Set-Up
To see the painting up close, the viewer is invited to walk through the curtain of over 140 canvas strips on which are written words of repair from individuals all over the world.
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The Words of Repair: Below is a sampling of contributions. Many languages, coming from many perspectives, some as a single word, others in full prose. Most people felt daunted by the task. Many were written with tears. It is the collective that gives this piece its power.
This is the time to lean into peace like never before. There is no longer distance between our world and Palestine. And, surprisingly, the project seems to be ongoing (as the the crises is ongoing). Words for canvas strips continue to come in and I willingly receive them. They will be be added to the other voices for peace.
Shalom
Shalom