Moving Through Unseen Borders

The ‘Moving Through Unseen Borders’ painting by Kerri McGill is a major work of art. It works successfully on a number of levels. It is thoughtful, considered, intelligent, true to its subject matter, and aesthetically expertly realized and resolved. The structured and underlaid tile-like map composition works effectively and well, and the dominant ‘emerald’ and ‘aquamarine’  lights in the painting glow. It unashamedly and successfully shows the influence of the symbolist painter Gustav Klimt. The painting’s patina emits a light, luster and sheen which symbolically evokes hope and a positive outcome.

The deliberate and clearly chosen ‘emerald’ and ‘aquamarine’ colors in the painting act as a necessary protection.(In a spiritual sense, emerald’s were considered to be a gift from Toth, the ancient Egyptian god of wisdom, )which in this painting is designed to symbolize a cloak to assist the asylum seeker and immigrant’s ability to survive and exist. Also, because aquamarine was believed in ancient times to counteract the forces of darkness. These two colours in harmony together reinforces the definite spiritual elements and life-enhancing nature of the painting. The artist has given a blessing to the people ‘moving through….’ by an understanding of the hazardous nature of the journey they are undertaking, and offering a gift of love to ease the fears of their passage to a new life.

The emerald is also known as a stone of intuition, associated with sight and the revelation of future events and truth. It is a stone of love. The aquamarine stone is a stone that cleanses evil thoughts and barrier-inducing experiences. The stone, like the emerald stone, inspires trust and truth. The future of these asylum seekers and migrants looks good – the orange colour of the asylum seekers and immigrants symbolises optimism and success (even though the portents for a safe passage are not very promising).

The work towers above any pessimism, with the shimmering colour offering a sense of hope, which is consistent with the inherent desire, and dual ability of the artist, to show herself as a sincere humanist with a positive personal and uniquely individual world view. It is a painting of our fractured, splintered and divided world, but at the same time, offers viewer’s a painting which exists as a peaceful healing agent.