NARCISSUS: grief
Narcissus weeps to find that grief does not return love*
Narcissus: Grief continues an exploration of how the landscape holds, heals and hinders memory. Drawing on historical allusions to Narcissus, the installation of vessels furthers this narrative in examining the complexity of memories of grief and the potential for continued reflection to consume us. The glazed surfaces marry colours reminiscent of the represented landscapes with the reflective surface of the silver gilded bowl – a symbol of reflection and the pool of Narcissus’ demise.
The Sentinel and Narcissus’ pool communicate the precipice of decisions. The pool of Narcissus is not yet engulfed in reflection, overseen by a guardian holding vigil for paths yet followed. The figurative abstraction of The Sentinel holds the weight of knowing and hindsight, a silent force urging the subject’s consideration of self-reflection’s capacity to consume.
*adapted quotation from Mason Cooley