The Fools’ Vessels series of works is a play on the Platonic allegory the Ship of Fools. The original narrative discusses a somewhat impaired ship’s captain that is cast aside by a mutinous crew. The crew, while full of jealousy and envy, are inept at sailing and navigation; the result is an ill-guided voyage. Like Plato’s fools our generation’s myopia and self-interest appear to be leading us nowhere while also being oblivious to our environmental effects. In turn our ship, led by such short-sighted values, is facing potential ruin.
Across the series of works the pieces are intended to be read as a narrative. At first filled with hope as the vessel appears to achieve the impossible and float on the water surface. Then with less certainty as a more tenuous relationship develops predicated on balance. And finally as the work comes down to earth in arid lands devoid of water. Ultimately the form sits on the edge of a dry salt lake slowly being consumed by the saline space it remains in.
Michael Shiell 