'The wound is the place where the light enters' at Olsen Gallery
Installation photography by Simon Hewson
My first major solo exhibition of new work since 2019, The wound is the place where the light enters, opened at Olsen Gallery in Sydney on the 12th of October. The title, which is a line from a Rumi poem, speaks to the fact that pain can make us cherish what truly matters. We can only mourn what we deeply love.
The fires that tore through the east coast of Australia in the summer of 2019 gave rise to a moment of profound personal grief. I found myself turning inward. I became more aware of my feelings.
During this time, I dreamed up a new mythology, one in which living creatures develop wounds that appear as physical markings. In the show, the birds – in portraits, on branches and bonsai - have natural red markings. Some appear to bleed, as if their bodies are manifesting the collective pain that is felt by this planet. However, they embrace their wounds with a spirit of openness and beauty.
Each day, we look out our windows to see if there are clouds in the sky. But for my exhibition ‘The wound is the place where the light enters’ I invite the audience to witness instead our internal weather.
I've learned that the hardest times in my life have coincided with profound personal growth. These moments have shown me, time and time again, that our wounds can sometimes be gifts in disguise. Pain can sometimes awaken us to the kindness of people, a sense of awe in nature. It can help us deeply savour the overwhelming beauty of the everyday.
Video by Simon Hewson
For those who came along to view the exhibition, thank you! And for anyone who could not make it, you can view the exhibition and listen to my artist statement below. There is also a link to short talks by author and meditation teacher David Gandalman on the exhibition and a talk about the installation work Temple, which was a collaboration with Melvin J. Montalban HERE
Video by Simon Hewson