Doorway: A Series
4th in the series
When Vivian told me that the opening of her newly relocated Peninsula Gallery would fall on the anniversary of D-Day—as had her two previous major gallery openings—and shared what that day meant to her, I felt compelled to create new work that echoed the ideas wrapped up in D-Day: courage, daring, hope, and a turning point.
She had invited all her artists to contribute new work, so I decided to work small.
Initially, I started with six pieces, planning on coming up with one or two finished pieces. I worked, keeping the themes of D-Day front and centre. But the early ideas weren’t working. Then, at the end of a painting session, I picked up a piece of charcoal and drew doorways onto each panel. That was the breakthrough. Doorways: A Series was born.
Why doorways?
A doorway is a symbol of transition—from one place (physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual) to another.
It’s often easier to remain on the familiar side rather than step into the unknown. And yet, on the other side might lie wonder, transformation, and possibility. We resist change because the status quo is comfortable. But if we've found ourselves standing at the threshold, perhaps it's time to be daring even as we are uncertain—and take the step forward. This is what happened for me as I worked!
To me, D-Day represents all of this. It also reminds me of the sacrifice made in service of an ideal and a way of being in the world. It marked the beginning of the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation.
A day of Bravery.
Commitment.
Resolve.
Hope.
