We are all Visitors

A tale of driftwood and wax

While I was staying on the island for two weeks during January 2025 I spent a good portion of my time painting but I also wanted to see what the Island would provide in terms of inspiration and ideas. 

One of those ideas was something based on the frictions between the islanders and visitors, as they are not unlike some of the frictions caused by people arriving on the south coast of England to claim asylum. (Please don’t jump up and down, I am not against anyone seeking asylum, just as I can understand some of the reasons why islanders don’t welcome all visitors…… Read on)

I found driftwood on my morning beach combing walks and that made me wonder how far it had travelled and perhaps how difficult a journey that had been. It also gave me the thought of early pilgrims to the island and how religion can be shunned. I wanted to find a way of expressing a harmonious union.

One evening I had candles lit in the cottage I was staying in and that gave me the idea of using wax with the driftwood to find harmony. I knew I couldn’t use the candles I had as they had no connection to the island. A conversation the next day with Rev Kay from St Cuthbert’s Centre soon produced a wealth of semi used candles from St Mary’s church for my idea. 

The first pieces were the feathers found on the island anchored in wax on cardboard from recycling on the island. While they won’t fly again , they do float and could migrate. 

The second pieces have layers of wax built up on drift wood and then carved with fish and the sea, the ever present surroundings of the island into the wax. 

The third piece is a sectional breakwater, these are commonly used to stop coastal erosion between the land and the sea. In this case I also thought about them as the erosion of beliefs and communities.

The fourth piece is about the power of the sea, how it can give life but also take it away, as well as being a barrier. 

The final piece is the lighthouse, which we don’t physically have here, but there is always light and hope and I believe there will be people on this island who perform the duties of a lighthouse for all. 

I invite you to consider the driftwood and wax, perhaps you will find other possibilities as a fellow visitor? 

Gail Curry

Artist

August 2025