Samantha Hickman, (March 2020). “Take it slow”. 28.5cm x 21cm. Materials: Collage. Location: Bath, UK.
Collage is a calming method I utilize to explore, organize, and reframe scattered thoughts and feelings. Creating through found images helps me to focus and let my subconscious take me on a creative journey, safely contained within my visual journal.
This piece was formed after an anxious-thoughts filled morning. Selecting the images and piecing together a calm scene, helped me to understand that lockdown is asking us to slow down and appreciate the simple beauty of life.
The window has become a symbol of these historic times as many people work and live in cities, their access to the outdoors currently via this aperture. Viewing this new lockdown life through this lens, the window symbolizes an opening and illumination from darkness. It represents opportunities and new beginnings, as well as protection.
It is currently Spring in the UK and magnolia trees are in bloom all around Bath. Their subtle colours bring beauty to the streets and enhance the magnificent architecture of the city, symbolizing endurance, dignity, nobility, and a love of nature. The magnolia is a very tough flower, strong and fragrant despite its delicate appearance
Moths symbolize determination and truth. Despite being a nocturnal creature, their attraction to the light represents its drive to move forward and to seek illumination from the darkness. In this collage, they are intuitively drawn to the moon, high in the sky. The moon carries much symbolism around cycles, shadow and balance. Representing regeneration, mystery and passivity, she also is a metaphor for reflection, power, fertility and change.
Finally, the two magpies in the sky can be seen in two ways. They can be a symbol of good luck, indicating joy, love and lasting fortune. However, they can also signify deceit and deception. For me, they are a reminder that the material world will not nurture a spiritual path and are therefore a timely reminder to remember what is important in life.
With all this in mind, it is as if nature is reminding us to stay strong and resilient, to have faith that all will work out well, to accept change and utilize this time to be reflexive. Change will come, perhaps when nature decides that we have embraced a new way of thinking. In the mean time, we must protect ourselves by staying at home and be encouraged that a new way of being will evolve.
One Comment
Carla
Samantha, in viewing your artwork I have a strong sensation that the view outside the window has entered in, not only into the room, but into you, through your eyes and contemplations. That the moths seek the light within, the magpies squawk messages of the spirit, and the magnolia blossoms in your inner world.