The Stones Painting

This large oil painting is one of a series submitted for the Bachelor of Arts degree exhibition, and has since been exhibited at the University of Hertfordshire on a number of exhibitions of graduates works. 'Throwing Stones' (the original title) made reference to one of the method of communication between native american tribes (now referred to as First Nation). I used mixed media, acrylic and oil paint, with resin on guesso on canvas to make this large painting 230cm x 162cm/90 5/16in x 63 5/8in In the early 70s I worked in a children's home in Vancouverand and then came into contact with the children of the 'First Nation'. Because of my involvement with them I was drawn to study their cultural history. The stones were one means of communication. My research for my degree led to the following: ‘... inscribing diagrams of social relationship on the skins of animals implies totemic ideas: in other words, identification of the social group with the animal upon whose skin it is projected...Totemism... …The spinal column of the human figure thus takes on a special symbolical significance as a line of division between the social conditions united in the body…’ Schuster and Carpenter: 1996, Patterns that connect, social symbolism in ancient and tribal art. Harry Adams Inc, New York, USA p173-4