Title: so what if I cant sing, 68, 4×4
Size: 24” round, 3.5” deep
Damon Wiggins
“Music makes the people come together…” – Madonna
For me, there is music not only in the notes and melodies but in the very air we breathe and the wind that carries it. Music is an omnipresent force in my life, a constant backdrop that shapes my experiences. I find myself translating the words of others into moments from songs, and my love for music transcends genres. It became essential to create a work that pays homage to this art form.
Every element of this artwork was carefully chosen to evoke the essence of music. The 68 layers of glue and paint painstakingly piled up over 68 days are a nod to the time signatures of 6/8 and 4/4, forming a rhythmic structure much like a musical composition. Within this circular panel, I’ve woven threads in a way that evokes a round of song, creating a visual harmony that mirrors the harmonies in music.
Five black layers within the piece represent the bars of sheet music, and I’ve meticulously crafted notes by cutting thin black strips. Each of these notes holds the potential of a hidden song waiting to be discovered by those who seek it.
Instead of the threads being perfectly straight, they flow and wind like the wind itself, lending a dynamic sense of movement to the composition. This mirrors the fluidity of music as it traverses the air, creating a symphony of sounds that dance on the breeze.
I deliberately chose the colors red and green, complementary colors that resonate with a harmonious contrast. It’s a reminder that music transcends all boundaries, including those of perception. With friends who are color blind, I’ve witnessed firsthand that music has a universal language, one that anyone can find a way to sing along to. This artwork is a testament to the ever-present melodies that fill our lives and the harmonies that bind us together through the art of music.
So what if you can’t sing. It’s the joy of making a sound…even if you don’t hit all the right notes.
DAMON WIGGINS 