Rising, falling, floating and still, the forest is caught in a moment of bloom. Captivated by the ephemeral beauty of cherry blossoms and memories of a first kiss.This is an obsession with ‘shunga’, which is Japanese for (antique) erotic art. The main medium for shunga was wood block prints, called ‘ukioy-e’ which also means ‘floating world’, referring to an evanescent world, fleeting beauty divorced from responsibilities of the everyday. 

Spectrum is a non-linear, visual narrative installation that uses light, reflection and colour.
Media used include etched mirrors, acrylic with dichroic film and carved panels. Dimesnions: 12' H x 5'6" W

Simple and novel materials are arranged in a pattern, where each piece plays an important role in achieving a larger effect – similar to the aim and structure of a co-operative.

The backlit images show diversity, reflecting everyday life in Vancouver and this community while recognizing the enduring influence of nature. These are the shared values that Vancity and its members hold. The mirrors function in two ways: they display images and also reflect the space and the people of this community, as they catch a glimpse of themselves in the artwork. Colour is introduced with ambient and direct lighting, allowing the prismatic reflections and shadows from the dichroic film to be ‘painted’ on the wall. This references the promising optimism of the international co-operative movement, whose original flag is a seven colour rainbow – the rainbow symbolizing unity in diversity. There is no fixed way to read the images. Viewers are encouraged to read their own story. This also allows room for the meanings of the visuals and overall narrative to evolve and be re-interpreted over time.

Pillow Pictures/Hybrid Shunga: Drawings and installation.

Over time, I noticed I kept re-visiting or using drawing and illustration in my jewellery work. Pillow Pictures is the result of my obsession with ‘shunga’, Japanese for erotic art. Revisiting my love of drawing, erotic images and materials, strange fantasies, impossible appetites are presented as intimate dreams and nightmares, another way to heat up the cooler room.