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| "Respect," by Ted Fullerton. |
Artist's Note
Respect was something understood through observation within day to day living. My mother and father had an equal “partnership” of respect for each other that was expressed openly and lovingly. Growing up in an era when patriarchal authority was the expected household protocol was not the “condition” within our home. Mom and Dad shared household responsibilities, decisions and affection for my brother and I as well as to each other. As a result, I believe the “respect for the breadth of others” was instilled through the personal experience based in our home. Also, during that time of growing up, I do remember a common phrase that I heard repeated outside of our household, "you must respect your elders." But it was clearly presented to me that the elders have to “earn” your respect, it is not just a result of the experience of “age”. As a result, respect or a lack of respect was observed culturally based on how the Other was seen and through what kind of lens and experience one had or chooses to have.
The symbolic associations of colour - again - play a part within my visual expression and in the painting, "Respect." The two figures standing straight and proud - eye to eye - on an equal platform - are intended to be seen as the breadth of the Other. Red and green are complimentary colours and each hold significant associations but as “complementary colours” they are in visual “contrast” to each other, thus becoming “complementary” - a concept and reality I have very much appreciated and enjoyed. They are surrounded in an “atmosphere” of blue embracing their mutualism. Placed between them and surmounted on the inserted canvas representative of a single figure is an actual bird's nest. Fragile in its perceived nature, the nest represents and signifies the strength of a mutual association of “togetherness” that can only be accomplished by respect and deference for the Other. This nest exists like a “crown” of the figure, represented on the inserted canvas as a cascade of blue showers down, implying - as it does in Western culture - purity and responsibility. The figure, neither represented as male or female, is depicted with five tree leaves, representative and implying growth, renewal, hope, friendship and affection - which culminate as a condition and environment for Respect.
The symbolic associations of colour - again - play a part within my visual expression and in the painting, "Respect." The two figures standing straight and proud - eye to eye - on an equal platform - are intended to be seen as the breadth of the Other. Red and green are complimentary colours and each hold significant associations but as “complementary colours” they are in visual “contrast” to each other, thus becoming “complementary” - a concept and reality I have very much appreciated and enjoyed. They are surrounded in an “atmosphere” of blue embracing their mutualism. Placed between them and surmounted on the inserted canvas representative of a single figure is an actual bird's nest. Fragile in its perceived nature, the nest represents and signifies the strength of a mutual association of “togetherness” that can only be accomplished by respect and deference for the Other. This nest exists like a “crown” of the figure, represented on the inserted canvas as a cascade of blue showers down, implying - as it does in Western culture - purity and responsibility. The figure, neither represented as male or female, is depicted with five tree leaves, representative and implying growth, renewal, hope, friendship and affection - which culminate as a condition and environment for Respect.