The Hull, The Bodice

Calculate latitude between
a pair of bodies fastened
together by lacing.
A buoyant force equals weight of displaced fluid
Archimedes’ principle.
Structural strength, watertight.
Afloat, a tall ship, certain.
This, such soft stuff--
​hair, yarn and brown paper
‘neath a copper sheath, defending
Dress, a fitted portion at the waist
a variety of coatings, trustworthy
darts into one dart to align, unlike
the mariner’s compass, variable.
I count the number of knots
measuring sextant, angles between
horizon and Sun, Moon, or stars
while we sail this New Age.
Watching the skirt-sail furl
Watching the direction wind blows
across soft water
and hidden depths.

​— A. Flowers

The Hull, The Bodice
610 x 610
Mixed Media - Paint, dress patterns, graphite, charcoal, metallic foil
$1950

This was an interesting piece to make, inspired by a laundry copper which my parents acquired when they were young.

I connected: the laundry copper > clothing > corset bodice > rib cage > boat hull structure > historical use of copper as a protective cladding.

You can see a sextant used for navigation on the bottom right. The ships’ sail filled by winds, and bordered by meteorological symbols for rain showers (slight) and fresh breezes.
There are two lines extending down from the bodice’s shoulder, these are Cuneform for ‘TAB’ meaning to double, repeat, companion, partner, or friend. I wanted to include something as a nod to both the boat hull and bodice being connected.
The blue references ‘Egyptian Blue’ an artificial lapis colour made from a mix of copper, silica, lime, and an alkali.
I have also used cuneiform-inspired script (ancient Sumerian language) ‘words’ for wood + boat along the ships hull. Sumerian’s we’re some of the earliest people to use copper for useful items. They also made art with copper.

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