‘Hope Is the Thing with Feathers’
For ConNEXTions: Temporary Public Art Installations in Oakville Parks
Tazeen Qayyum transforms one of the sheds at Memorial Park into a sanctuary of care and storytelling through her signature miniature painting style. The installation is inspired by the Ragamala miniature paintings, from the South Asian tradition, and conveys a festive mood with the message of hope and love. For this project, the artist invites residents of Oakville and beyond to collaborate by sending their used masks along with short personal narratives, reflecting on their experience of the pandemic. The collected narratives will further add to the project and continue to grow on the project’s website as a way to highlight the community’s ongoing struggles, resilience and inspirations. Qayyum explains:
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the face mask has become the symbol of the pandemic. Obligatory in many countries, the mask culture has now become part of our daily lives, customs, discussions and practices. On one hand it represents the hardships, separation, distance and restrictions, but at the same time it is also a symbol of survival, care, resilience and protection. It can be rightfully said that this simple, inexpensive object has become a powerful image and representation of our collective experience.
As a community project, it celebrates the spirit of community building and the unquestionable strength in coming together as a nation in such difficult times. Like Emily Dickinson’s poem, ‘Hope Is The Thing With Feathers’, the installation portrays a hope that lives within us all and that must be protected, nurtured, cherished and shared no matter how hard the times get.
Location: Memorial Park, 120 Oak Park Boulevard, Oakville.
Open to public
To add your personal reflection email the artist at info@artaddress.ca