This image illustrates a Chinese fairy-tale from the 6th Century. Girl Weaver neglects her heavenly duties to spend her life on earth with the Goat Herd, this invokes the wrath of her family who force them to live apart. They are brought together for one day a year when a flock of tender-hearted magpies form a bridge to reunite them. This legend is still celebrated in China on the 7th night of the 7th month with a summer festival full of symbolism for newly-wed couples.
“Hikyaku - literally "fleet feet" or "flying feet." These running messengers played a critical role in delivering items and messages, given that in Japan's mountainous terrain, other modes of transportation, like horses or carriages, weren't very practical.”
(HB pencil on a 139mm x 87mm postcard) It's not surprising that the pandemic would inspire me to do a work such as this. How could it not? It shows both the growing need for social interaction people have in isolation, along with the need to protect themselves. These two things have come together in a piece depicting a strange group of gate-crashing party-goers.
