Vortex - Alicia Merrett

A vortex is a mass of fluid or air with a circular motion that tends to form a vacuum or cavity in the centre, towards which matter is drawn: the eye of the storm. Cyclones, hurricanes, tornadoes, typhoons, monsoons. In the Ithaka poem, the gods send strong winds to blow Odysseus away from his route home, and buffets him in directions that may draw him into a vortex.

In our creative life, metaphorical winds can either blow us off course or push us on a new positive direction.

In a literary sense, a vortex means ‘a dangerous or bad situation in which you become more and more involved and from which you cannot escape’. Our Earth is caught in powerful, escalating natural phenomena - winds, storms, floods, droughts - a climate crisis that requires urgent collective action. We must take action now and create a sustainable green economy supported by renewable energy.

Alicia Merrett, 41” x 24”. Digital design, digitally modified, printed on fabric, layered and machine quilted.