"Shattered"

Shat·ter (shtr)

1. To cause to break or burst suddenly into pieces, as with a violent blow.
2.a. To damage seriously; disable:
2.b. To cause the destruction or ruin of; destroy:



As glass shatters all over the floor upon impact, so do the elements of this quilt. Once straight lines and rectangles, have now become disjointed and taken on foreign shapes and sizes. As it is with life, a trauma or tragedy effects the whole redefining living and reality. This thereby gives those involved, and those observing, a new way to be and a new way to see things. Pain is often the escort through life's hardest moments but with the gifts of time, faith, acceptance and maybe forgiveness, there is hope that life will become new again.

Such are the thoughts to accompany the creation of "Shattered." Created from the scraps of a bridal heirloom gift I'm currently working on, the soft colors almost lessen the interrupted lines and odd shapes of the piece. Mirrors are used to remind the viewer that they too are shattered and broken in some ways. They are reminded that they have responsibilities, maybe not in this particular tragedy or trauma, but within their relationships to others who may be suffering in life's darkest hour.

These lines will never be straight again and the forms will never return to rectangles, but may we come to see a new beauty within and may we find hope in the ashes of despair.


Here is one more example of art created in reaction to tragedy:
http://registry.national911memorial.org/

Many more exist and I hope they will prove to be as helpful and therapeutic as this little piece was to me.