Reflecting on Humanity
Who do you see more as an enemy than a friend?
What struggles have been part of your story?
Some of us saw the image as showing strength, others, vulnerability.
The artist, David Williams said of the work:
The above image is from the series of 15 photographic seascapes, Stillness and Occurrence (1995-2000). All images were made on Portobello beach, Edinburgh using long exposures in very particular climatic and lighting conditions. The work speaks to our shared humanity, paradoxically alluding to isolation and interconnectedness in equal measure. In common with much of my output, the mutually dependent relationship between apparent opposites plays a significant part. This notion which will be familiar to those acquainted with aspects of Eastern thought, in particular the ancient Chinese philosophical concept of Yin and Yang.
How does this image speak to you?
Is there anything here that connects with your own story?
Image from the ABC book project by Cat Outram for Mouth of the Shark exhibition, Cork 2021 ©
How do you respond to this image?
Which person in it do you most – or least – identify with? Why?
Photo: David Paton-Williams
Who does this image bring to your mind or heart?
Do you tend to focus on the "barbed wire" in life or the "light"?
Take One Step
Pray for someone in need.
Write a letter of support to a prison of conscience, or a letter of protest to a politician.
Words for the Heart
Invocation for Justice
I will go in the name of God,
In likeness of deer, in likeness of horse,
In likeness of serpent, in likeness of king,
Stronger am I than all persons.
The hand of God keeping me,
The love of Christ in my veins,
The strong Spirit bathing me,
The Three shielding and aiding me.
The Three shielding and aiding me.
From Carmina Gadelica, (number 411)
collected by Alexander Carmichael
Prayer for Protection
The Son of God be shielding me from harm.
The Son of God be shielding me from ill.
The Son of God be shielding me from mishap.
The Son of God be shielding me this night.
The Son of God be shielding me with might.
The Son of God be shielding me with power.
Each one who is dealing we me aright,
So may God deal with this soul.
From Carmina Gadelica, (number 247)
collected by Alexander Carmichael