In the wake of the tragedy surrounding the fall of New York's Twin Towers in 2001, an unexpected message emerged, one not intended by those responsible for the devastation. Amidst the rubble and sorrow, what prevailed was a multitude of expressions of love, a poignant testament to the resilience and compassion of humanity.
A photograph taken by a New York Fireman of the Twin Towers wreckage showed a strange beauty in the terrible destruction. The photograph catalogued twisted girders and daubed paint marks that indicated the location of body parts. It made me realise I could make paintings that were I could create a tribute, a requiem for those that lost their lives but never lost the love expressed that day.
Two years later, during a visit to New York, I witnessed firsthand the site known as 'Ground Zero.' Surprisingly, the prevailing sentiments etched upon the message wall were not ones of terror hate or despair, but rather messages brimming with love and unity. It became evident that amidst tragedy, love emerged as the prevailing force, overshadowing even the darkest of days.
Through the Corpus Paintings, I sought to encapsulate the enduring message of hope and love, offering a reminder that even in the face of adversity, love triumphs.
Photograph of the message board at Ground Zero taken in 2003