The artwork intertwines movement, symbolism and portraiture, inspired by an engagement session held with Platinum Academy, a performing arts college in Angel Edmonton. During this session, the link between fertility and water was explored through iterative movements. The dancer featured in the central part is repeated to highlight the link between movement and fluidity. Working with the dancers, we examined the African-American jubilee song “Wade in the Water” and choreography was set to it, in collaboration with Erina Lewis, a Caribbean and Greek choreographer. Historically, the song was said to have been used by Underground Railroad social activist Harriet Tubman to warn escaping slaves to get off the trail and into the water to mask their scent. This work highlights the importance of freedom, passage and escape now as it was then.

The work connects three generations of women from the African diaspora and their thoughts on the future of these waterways; you will find some of their comments in the accompanying text artwork across the bridge. The women here act as custodians guiding the way for future communities.

Salvation
2024
Collaged photography on canvas, cowrie shells and cotton on timber construction
Displayed alongside the River Lea

380 x 160 cm