Milner Art Gallery - April 2002

This exhibition is based on two series of works, "Secure Your Boat" and "Paper Boats on Annaghmakerrig Lough." At the time I created the first series of drawings on photographs, I was spending a lot of time taking photographs in the river valley. I was also reading a book called, "Living On the Georgia Shore" by T.D. Clayton, L. Taylor, W.J. Cleary and Paul Hosier. The book was all about preparing for hurricanes and floods and discussed in great detail how one should attempt to live during such drastic conditions. I became intrigued by the directives the book gave to deal with emergencies, "Secure your boat. Use long lines to allow for rising water." "Your primary line of defense is early evacuation." "Stock adequate supplies."

It occurred to me that life is full of crises that are not the result of nature and so "secure your boat," became a metaphor for human experience. I began to draw boats on the photographs, transposing one image onto another and soon they had lives of their own. The boats wander off, explore, hide, and rest in forests, icy creeks and in the middle of the prairie.

A few months later, while visiting Ireland, the boat theme presented itself again as I spent time on a lake called Annaghmakerrig. My handmade paperboats became the focal point of the calming waters. In each case a lone, tranquil boat invites the viewer to drift off to their own "sea of tranquility". These are meant to be contemplative and reflective like the space from which they came.

The result in commiting myself to this work was the understanding that we need to go to the pond, the lake and the river for in the intimate moments of observation, they provide the surface on which our true nature can be reflected.

"Afloat" brings together two series by the artist based on boats.

"Secure Your Boat"
Hirst transposes one image onto another creating enchanting worlds where boats wander off, explore, hide, and rest in forests, icy creeks and prairie fields.

"Paper Boats On Annaghmakerrig Lough" (An Irish Lake)
Handmade paperboats become the focal point of calming waters. In each case a lone, tranquil boat invites the viewer to drift off to their own "sea of tranquility".

For more information about the artists and these works please contact Barbara Hirst at: bhandcj@tic.ab.ca