Awakening
Nikki Gunson
Theme: Touch
As one of the Huggiest; touchy, feely, sculptor, makers I know, this made me smile, it felt so relevant.
Touch plays an important role in my life and life in general. Without it, life would not exist. Now we find ourselves living in a world of; ‘Do not TOUCH’ ‘keep your DISTANCE’ No HUGGING’ and defiantly ‘No Grandchildren CUDDLES! Which has been a great shock! How did ‘Touch’ become dangerous, a threat, an accidental deadly weapon, forcing a Space between us. This hit me hard, creating a daily internal struggle, a storm of conflicting emotions, when faced with the wider than the ‘Stay at’ home world.
Head in my own hands, no more reassuring touch or gentle healing embrace. Replaced with heartache and cries of despair and anger, as we bend over backwards, bear the weight, sacrifice the joy. Grasping at the now distant memory of a simple ‘Make it better’ kiss. The longing to feel, to hold, to be there in person, to reach out and ‘Touch’ is kick starting our creative nature, helping us adapt, plant new seeds, forge new routes, get back to trust, back to ‘Touch’ despite the enforced Space Between us. The profound power of touch will persevere, supporting shielding, nurturing and Gently holding the most fragile of seedlings.
Using the language of hands to express, illustrate and explain this ‘Crisis of Touch’ Trails of words collected and created during this prosses will add the finishing ‘Touch!’
Nikki became part of the Same Sky team in 1994.