My Compasses are devices for grounding and reflection.
Each piece is made of durable medical glass with a kiln-baked iridescent coating. Each compass included a specific pendulum/needle suspended from a feather that supports certain qualities of emotional and spiritual resiliency and reflection.
While holding and looking from above, the movement of the body pulled by gravity and the momentum of earth will jostle the needle, making it move back and forth within the bubble. Representative of the unsteady moments in life in which we need guidance and direction.
As it sways, the needle viewed from above creates a wavering reflecting in the bubble that flickers as a compass needle does pointing north. To reclaim functions of a compass that resist colonial histories of conquest and dominance my compasses are not flat, but round as the earth it. My compasses look all around, literally reflecting any environment and person who dares to holds them. Stuck within literal tar, gathered from California beach, the subject is constantly forced to see this precious bubble in a compromised position. As the needle always points down—toward home, toward earth, my compasses offer contemplation and spiritual directing. These tools are used to practice steadying ones breathe to connect to the grounding of the land/self spirit within the fragile bubble of identity. A reminder that as we find our tools within our selves, no matter what the disruption or back and forth motion, we can always look at the problem from above and all around and our feelings will always point back to the land/self hurt we must allow ourselves to find rhythm and stillness within — reframing and remaking inner or external fragilities into tools that point back to our own healing. My compasses are a reminder that in each breath we can connect to home and always look toward the reassurance that with each breath comes the possibility for acts of change and care, is we are patience and focus on what's inside.