susan stockwell folds a fleet of ships from global currency

susan stockwell folds a fleet of ships from global currency
‘sail away’, esme with boats at tate turbine
© susan stockwell 2013
photo © miles roberts

thematically navigating the notions of international connectivity, personal and social history, and global exchange, susan stockwell‘s immersive ‘sail away’ unites these motifs through a single medium: currency. the humble, yet ever essential resource is a commodity of culture and civilization, with varying countries’ conception embedded in antiquity and humanity. appropriating diverse types of notes from around the world, stockwell handcrafts hundreds of small boats, folding, crimping, and sewing the paper payment into a fleet of ships.

‘sail away’ © susan stockwell 2013 
photo © sue jardine

mythology describes these water transits as a symbol of the transition from the material to the spiritual world, carriers of the dreams, and vessels for adventures and escape. coupling the themes, stockwell’s paper medium serves to represent the unknown links we have with each other, connecting us to the people who have handled each bill, in far reaching corners of the world. originally exhibited at the tate modern, turbine hall in april 2013, ‘sail away’ will be presented for patrick heide contemporary art at miami pulse art fair from december 5th, 2013 through decemeber 8th, 2013. 

(left) ‘sail away’
image © susan stockwell 2013
turbine hall, tate
(right) detail of boat

‘sail away’ © susan stockwell 2013 
photo © jeff leyshon

(left) ‘sail away’ © susan stockwell 2013
un franc
(right) ‘sail away’ © susan stockwell 2012
paper currency, knitting needles