DUNCAN McKELLAR
We all share the same light, the same warmth, the same star.
The sun can literally shed light without bias or baggage.
Sunlight has no owner, spans borders, crosses oceans and is given free of charge without judgement or prejudice.
Sunlight can provide a starting point to acknowledge universal aspects of our shared existence.
When combined with activism, this potency brings a serenity to politically charged events.
Significant Pieces
During January 2019 I created an Artwork called Ray of Hope which involved a kilometre long line of people spanning the U.S/Mexican border. Each participant wore a mirrored mask which reflected the sun to create a 1000 metre line of dazzling light bisecting the border wall. This artwork was recorded by a drone and represents a show of community strength, unity and inter-dependency in the face of division.
May Day involved over 500 people with mirrors sending a symbolic SOS call across the English Channel to mainland Europe. (This piece took place on the 29th of March 2019 the day which Brexit was first meant to happen.) The event was located on the White Cliffs near Brighton, an area situated between Leave and Remain counties. Along with providing an outlet for residents to show their frustration and pain at leaving the E.U it provided an opportunity to present the alternative views of the 48% who’s voices have now been consigned to history and who’s message is no longer encouraged to be heard.
A third piece in this series called ONE involved an 80-metre circle of people with mirrors on the Northern Irish border in Killea Co. Donegal. This piece took place as a show of unity in the face of potential border disruption leading up to the second Brexit date. These issues unfortunately continue to this day.