Sanctuary

22" x 16.7"/56 x 45cm

Oil on aluminium panel

2023

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A sanctuary is a refuge from persecution. It used to be associated with people seeking refuge, in a church, from the more powerful members of society. Today, we associate it more with safe spaces for wildlife. I have very mixed feelings about wildlife sanctuaries. The earth does not being to humanity, and it seems wrong that we designate small areas of this planet to our fellow inhabitants, because we are exploiting and destroying the rest. In an ideal world, sanctuaries would not need to exist. But this is not an ideal world, so we must be grateful for at least some safe spaces for other species.
The Queen Anne's lace that forms Ayda's halo and the flowers below, is symbolic of sanctuary, as is the snail, a peaceful creature that carries its refuge on its back. Sparrows represent protection, but also simplicity, joy, and teamwork. The old sanctuary sign actually exists. It is posted at a small waterfowl sanctuary at Saltmills.
When I was a child, there was such an abundance of wildlife. Sadly, animal populations have declined 70% worldwide in just 50 years. Just 4% of mammals are now wild. The remaining 96% are humans and their livestock. And 70% of birds on earth are farmed poultry. Yet biodiversity is essential if we are to survive as a species.