Guided Flight    2009

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As the spirit leaves the body at the time of death;
the guardian Bird protects the spirit on the flight from this world to the next.

In many cultures from around the world, this guide takes a bird form.
In the Maori culture it is the Ruru (Morepork) who protects the spirit on this journey.
The bird form takes the shape of a protective covering with feathers,
the metallic fabric represents a shield against many difficulties.

The shroud is made from cotton gauze and the folds represent an upward spiraling motion,
contained within the feathered form. The shrouded figure walks in a restrained way,
representing the spirit taking tentative steps towards the unknown.

The fabric for the blue sky is bleached back representing transformation,
as the spirit is guided on its journey away from this world.