Shrouded Hope

Old English scrud “a garment, article of clothing, dress, something which envelops and conceals, source also of Old Norse skruð “shrouds of a ship, tackle, gear; furniture of a church”.

The specific meaning “winding-sheet for a dead body, cloth or sheet for burial,” to which the word now is restricted, is attested from the 1560s. The sense of “strong rope supporting the mast of a ship” (mid-15c.) is from the notion of “clothing” a spar or mast; one without rigging was said to be naked.

The sea acts as freedom but also a barrier, and for many refugees seeking safety, the ocean becomes their final resting place. The sea vessel ultimately becomes their deathbed.

After having read how some refugees use shovels for oars, I wanted to emphasise these sad facts by using a dinghy as a shroud.

The crime scene marker as seen in the piece invites you to question the crimes, if any, that the scene presents for refugee policies.

This was the outcome of my month long residency at The Vestibules with fellow artist Dan Petley. With thanks to Artspace Lifespace.