Senkaku

Senkaku (2013)

Materials: Pencil on Italian archival paper

Dimensions: 115 x 215 x 10cm

Senkaku: the tides of history (2013)

Materials: Pencil on Italian archival paper

Dimensions: 148 x 295 x 12cm

Ironically, Senkaku, the Japanese name given to the islands currently strongly disputed between Japan, mainland China and Taiwan in the East China Sea, also has the same pronunciation in Japanese as to draw a line (sen o kaku). Playing on the dual meaning of this term, the work is composed from approximately three kilometres of continuous line. From afar, the lines make up nothing more than an interesting pattern, perhaps reminiscent of ocean waves. Close-up, the viewer comes to recognise a sea of over 25 000 people, separate and yet joined together, the same and yet each different – the tides of history. A poetic and yet poignant reflection on nationalism and identity.