An Ocean Apart

 Exhibition November 14th - 20th 2021

Open Daily Sunday -Saturday 10.00-17.00 hrs .

Birdwood House Gallery,48 High Street , Totnes TQ9 5SQ

I have  explored the subject of migration and what it means to leave one’s home because one feels it is the best or only solution in a response to a particular set of circumstances.  I have explored  perhaps one of the most famous and best-known migrants the ‘Pilgrim Fathers’ those 102 individuals who set sail on the Mayflower from Britain to the New World in 1620.

It is an irony that there is more information on many of the pilgrims ‘than the many thousands of displaced persons who travel across the globe seeking security. The Pilgrim Fathers are held in high regard he forbears of democracy and are probably not considered to be migrants by today’s standards. Many of the issues that persuaded or provoked their long and dangerous journey is shared by migrants today. So too are the difficult circumstances on arrival and sadly the disappointment and frustrations of ones dreams not always being fully realised.

I have explored the personal experiences of those  who journeyed on the Mayflower.  Using a variety of mediums to explore the human dimension - many  that have either been ignored, dismissed or considered to be of  less interest or significanance.  By examining the personal one gains insight into the magnitude of the actions taken become very apparent and even more remarkable than our history books would have us believe.
I first became interested in these themes several years ago with works created under the title  'Not Home ‘. see below for examples. Today more than ever we can recognise the ties that link our current situation with those pilgrims of 400 years ago, something I have reflected on in an article called 'The Mayflower, Pandemics and Us' which can be downloaded here >