THOUSANDS ARE SAILING, 2025

Drawing inspiration from The Pogues' lyrics, "On a coffin ship I came here," from the classic song Thousands Are Sailing, this project explores themes of forced migration and cultural resilience. The song evokes the experiences of Irish emigrants seeking refuge and a fresh start, yet holding onto their cultural identity. This narrative of fleeing one's homeland for safety and clinging to one's roots is a recurring motif throughout history and continues to impact lives today. I visually articulate this by using real sailcloth, directly referencing the act of "sailing." Upon this surface, rendered in acrylic, are images of rigging from Irish coffin ships, juxtaposed with the contemporary lines of telephone, internet, and cable that crisscross the sky above my house. The artwork is completed by depictions of sea and sky, all suspended on the wall.​

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This work was installed June 7 - 22, 2025 at Pier Plaza, Redondo Beach, CA, as part of Reimagined Poetry Invitational.

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