Staci Swider

Personally exploring the ideas of one’s soul journey is my work’s focus. I am fascinated by the mythic concept of one’s daimon, or spiritual companion, who acts as a carrier of our destiny according to Plato. I refer to the daimon as “the Grandmothers” and wonder how they carry such an important weight both physically and emotionally. How do they manage? Where do they reside? The idea of a boat shaped vessel gliding effortlessly throughout the cosmos came to me while relaxing in my hammock and I refer to these vehicles now as soul sleds. They are the agent from which the Grandmothers run the show and watch over us. With the Grandmothers guiding me I embarked upon my residency in Ireland, February 2023. It was there while exploring the countryside of County Kerry that I happened upon what is known as “The Greenville Rookery” and was immediately transfixed. Hundreds of rooks, large black birds native to Ireland, were swooping, calling and building nests; nests which reminded me of the soul sleds, suspended high up in the trees. It felt as if the rooks were bidding me to build and create alongside of them. The energy and spirit of that place overtook my artmaking and will forever remain in my subconscious regardless of what presents onto the canvas.