The Pendulum of Duality
Artist Statements
Exploring the metaphor of the swinging pendulum in life, the existence between two extremes - Joy and depression, purpose and hopelessness, success and failure, good and bad, beauty and inelegance.
Where do you find yourself on the pendulum? At the bottom, constantly swinging, separated and unsatisfied? or towards the top, the fulcrum, stable, calm, and with a newfound perspective of the chaos below?
The journey to freedom in life requires acceptance of the ebb and flow of existence, embracing the pendulum's swing. We must ascend the chain towards the fulcrum, finding solace in the stillness at the top, where enlightenment and awareness are.
Then we can become deliberate conscious creators, detached observers of the ever-changing chaos of the world.
Artist: Iain MacRae
Artwork: “Wannabe Business Person”
24 x 45 Acrylic and Oil stick on canvas
"Wannabe Business Person" delves into the relentless struggle of navigating life’s obstacles, highlighting the invisible battles we face while pursuing success. The piece explores the tension between ambition and the harsh realities of achieving goals, where every step forward feels like a fight. The title itself underscores the contrast between the outward image of success and the difficult, often discouraging reality beneath it. It captures the feeling of constantly striving to meet societal expectations while grappling with personal challenges and setbacks.
Through chaotic brushstrokes and a tension-filled color palette, the painting embodies the emotional toll of striving in a world that can seem unforgiving. The dark tones represent the frustration and exhaustion that come with the pursuit of success, while moments of light offer fleeting glimpses of clarity and triumph. "Wannabe Business Person" invites the viewer to acknowledge the struggle behind every achievement, questioning the glorified image of success and urging reflection on the resilience required to keep going despite the odds.
Artist: Ethan Kirkman
Artwork: “Human Condition”
24 x 27 Acrylic on sheetrock
Mankind the world over struggles for peace and security. Despite best efforts, every government has failed to solve life's biggest problems. As society continues to fall into darker and more uncertain times, the question arises, what is the solution? Where should I place my trust?
In a polarized world with theories and beliefs too many to count, the real solution lies upward. The Bible foretold not only what we are seeing in the world today, but also holds the perfect and permanent solution to all the world's problems.
To quote PBS' Reading Rainbow - "Take a look, it's in a book."
Artist: Ethan Kirkman
Artwork: “Catch 22”
16 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas
Visualizing the dilemma of an impossible situation, being torn between two choices or desires that can not coexist and yet to choose either would cause pain and irreparable damage.
The anatomical heart represents how real feelings can be, not a mere passing thought. As the seat of desire and emotions, the heart represents a deep part of us. It is bound by chains which could be percieved in two ways - either being prison bonds, witholding it from pursuing it's desires, or as a protective anchor, keeping it in place from drifting into danger.
The hook likewise can viewed in two ways - as a way of salvation, pulling it to a better place away from the dark depths, or as a dangerous temptation which will drag it to certain doom.
However it is seen, there is pain in every reality. We must find contentment in the situations we find ourselves in.
Artist: Ethan Kirkman
Artwork: “Composition 4 - Blue and Red figures”
48x72 Acrylic on board
This piece symbolizes struggle between choices. The red figure in the middle has two blue shapes which correspond to the two blue shapes beside it, whereas the blue shapes contain the same red as the middle figure. To combine, they would complete one another, but only one can be chosen, yet two shades resides within the red figure.
Artist: Ethan Kirkman
Artwork: "Transcendence"
46x52 Acrylic on canvas
The message of this piece is "overcoming". The yellows, reds, and browns of the upper canvas portray chaos, fear, and betrayal. These things crush down on us, threatening to overtake us. The dark blue/black of the lower canvas suggest dark thoughts, depression, and anxiety that can drown us. However, the energetic triangle, a symbol of power, bursts through, creating a wedge between these negative thoughts and feelings. We have an inner strength to overcome any obstacle to our happiness and actualization. Find it within yourself and persist through the darkness.
Artist: Ethan Kirkman
Artwork: "Conditional Paradise"
48x48 Acrylic on board
One third of the canvas represents the ocean, bright and tropical - the pinnacle of paradise to many. Yet the other two thirds are dark and brooding, representing an often unseen reality of island living. High costs of living, polarized income brackets of the super rich across from the poor, "rock fever" and the depression that can come. An unbalanced work/life cycle, long hours and low wages, status and rollover, "Sunday cars" and bicycles. All is not as it appears to be.
Artist: Ethan Kirkman
Artwork: "Parabellum"
36x48 Acrylic on board
"Parabellum" comes from the Latin "Si vis pacem, para bellum", meaning 'If you want peace, prepare for war'. This ties into the war we have in our hearts, minds, and lives in general. Constantly swinging on the pendulum from happiness to depression, joy to anger, love and hate. If we want to feel good, we must also prepare for the bad times. If we want to enjoy ourselves, we must also sacrifice and work. Both are inescapable, one neccesary for the other to exist.
Artist: Aimee Randolph
Artwork: "Ocean Embrace"
14x14 Ceramic Plate
Artwork: "Fluid Harmony
8x8 Ceramic bowl
My work often explores the dynamic relationship between the ocean's surface and the rich underwater life that thrives beneath. This exploration is beautifully represented in my two ceramics works, “Ocean Embrace” and “Fluid Harmony.”
“Ocean Embrace” captures the raw power of the sea, featuring a design where the turbulent waves overlap an intricate octopus pattern. This piece communicates the duality of underwater life: the octopus, a symbol of fluidity and adaptability, is sheltered beneath the fierce and unpredictable surface of the ocean. Through the juxtaposition of these elements, I aim to highlight the unseen wonders that exist beneath the waves, reminding us of the resilience of life amid the stormy seas.
In echo, “Fluid Harmony” celebrates the tranquil beauty of the underwater realm. The sea is portrayed gracefully over a delicate coral pattern, portraying the harmonious relationships found in this vibrant ecosystem. This piece emphasizes the peace that resides below the surface, showing a world where life flourishes and coexists, often hidden from view.
Together, these artworks encapsulate the duality of underwater life and the rough sea above, inviting viewers to reflect on the balance between chaos and serenity in nature. My intention is not only to celebrate the beauty found in Grand Cayman but also to encourage an appreciation for the intricate connections within our ecosystems. Each piece is a testament to the wonders of nature and the stories that unfold beneath the surface.
Artist: Kara Julian
Artwork: “Visions of a Seafaring Past”
As an artist, I seek to capture the complexities of the human experience through the lens of Cayman’s rich maritime history.
My painting, “Visions of a Seafaring Past,” serves as a metaphor for the dualities we navigate in life, drawing parallels between the ebb and flow of the sea and our own journeys through joy and despair, purpose and hopelessness.
The Cayman catboat sailing across the vibrant blue streak in the center of the canvas symbolizes our journey through the currents of existence. Just as sailors must respond to the unpredictable nature of the ocean, we too find ourselves constantly swinging on the pendulum of life’s extremes.
The painting captures this dynamic movement, with the use of color reflecting the contrast between the calm tranquility of the open sea and the deeper, tumultuous tones that signify moments of chaos.
The blue brushstroke represents not just the Caribbean waters but also the fluidity of our emotions and experiences, inviting viewers to consider where they find themselves on this pendulum.
The lighthouse in the painting stands tall, a beacon of hope amidst the swirling tides, encouraging contemplation of how we navigate our own paths in search of stability and purpose. It embodies the quest for balance — the desire to ascend towards the fulcrum of calm and awareness where enlightenment resides.
In creating this piece, I invite you, the viewer, to reflect on your own relationship with this pendulum of duality. How do you harness the power of the sea to navigate your personal experiences? Through “Visions of a Seafaring Past,” I hope to encourage a dialogue about the beauty and chaos of life, reminding us that both the challenges and moments of clarity we face are essential to our journey.
Artist: Ethan Kirkman
Artwork: “Mein Geist”
60 x 60 Acrylic on canvas
Meaning 'my ghost', something which haunts you. Time can have a similar type of affect on us, what could have been?, what choices should have been made? We cannot go back and change the past, nor can we control the future.
These themes are evoked by the hourglass shape,which can be seen literally or as the female form suggesting relationships which ended or might have been. The energetic red line, which falls over where the heart would be, represents the heart in all it complexities and angst, while the stark white line represents the unchangeableness of time.
Artist: Ethan Kirkman
Artwork: “Rebirth"
40 x 48 Acrylic on canvas
This piece represents the healing we achieve after going through turmoil or trauma. Rather than let ourselves be consumed by them, we have been reshaped, reborn anew, with newfound strength to keep going.