William Sutherland's photos

Boston, MA Created from the spray painted word "Art" located in the financial district and various debris (a discarded face mask, cigarette butts, napkin, rubber spacer ring, wire caps, plastic piece and dried flora and granules of sand from nearby Boston Harbor) located in a sheltered corner of the bricked pier along "Harbor Walk." Yes, Boston is virtually COVID free! There were single digit cases on many of the days I was there and 0 deaths! It was a pleasure to feel free again and to be able to breathe in the refreshing air without a mask and feel safe doing so! :) This is definite reason to smile!!! The soft colors chosen are meant to portray the sea and its flora and to represent the freshness of the pleasant sea breeze since Boston Harbor is only feet away from this sheltered corner of the pier.

Mamaroneck, NY Abstract work created from various discarded objects – pieces of a broken incandescent light bulb, a microwave door with intact patterned glass, an electrical outlet cover and wires. The title denotes the color red from the French word rouge . The dominate red color in conjunction with the various circles represent enduring love (in fact according to the Urban dictionary, a rouge “is the sweetest person you will ever meet… a person who will always love you…” regardless of circumstances and individual flaws, someone whom should be cherished and something worth pursuing), lasting health, which is so relevant during these pandemic times, and eternal life. The abundance of red also represents passion, strength and fortitude. At the same time, the outlet cover represents a means of release since it is within each of us to unleash love, passion and good and in doing so, beautifying the planet in the same way cosmetics beautify the face. Also, considering rouge, is also a powder used to polish glass, metal and gems, the metal microwave oven door with its intact glass and the diamond pattern in the center of this work are fitting. At the same time, the splashes of earthen tones and green reinforce the concept of life and its preciousness. Last, the happy face represents the joy red represents through love, vitality, and good health.

Larchmont, NY Created using three discarded items – a rubber spacer ring, torn piece from a cardboard box, and discarded plastic sack and three colors – white, black and sepia to promote simplicity and minimalism. At the same time, despite the large minimalist swath, this image also consists of veins and pockets of maximalism, most notably sections that depict the textured pattern of the discarded plastic sack while retaining its minimalist nature to defy conventional order. The torn card board displays the name of this creation while the spacer ring represents timeless eternity, infinity and perfect that only a 360° circle can do justice. The smiling face represents the joy that can be found in simplicity and minimalism that consists of pristine, uncluttered space.

Mamaroneck, NY Created from discarded piping, hundreds of tiny pieces of broken glass, a discarded board, and metal hasp. The swirls represent the “perfect turbulence” often depicted by Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) even if it goes unnoticed during bright summer days where different retreats (e.g. beaches, cafés, etc.) serve as safe spaces and oases of serenity, disconnected from the chaotic affairs of this 21st century world. The discarded plastic pipes with minimal paint splatter represent these oases of calm. Even the labeled 73°F mild temperature represents this comfortable calm. Likewise, as such turbulence can go unnoticed, one also cannot see the stars (except for the sun) nor distant celestial bodies (except for the moon) when peering into the bright summer sky. Yet they are there! The dark blue splotches serve as a reminder they will be visible when darkness sets in while the abundance of tiny white space represents the countless stars that will re-appear. Hence the title, “73F Starry Summer Day.” In addition, the various colors – reds, greens, purples, greens, and yellows represent the joy of summer, which is captured by the smiling face. Life is what we make of it, regardless of challenges, adversity and the turbulent world we live in. Thus Choose Joy! It is refreshing, a lot healthier and more comforting than the alternative.

Created from four merged images – a window display at a Port Chester, NY restaurant taken 18 April 2014, photograph of the Ten Commandments tablets that symbolizes the law of the Torah (New Rochelle, NY), scripture from a Torah taken 17 May 2021 (Larchmont, NY) and a free clipart image of the Star of David, the symbol of the Jewish people. Wishing every Jewish person a Happy Shavuot even if it’s a little late due to server downtime!

Mamaroneck, NY The broken and scattered rocks symbolize the aftermath of the Rock in Horeb when Moses struck it as instructed. The blues and purple represent the outflowing of water as promised when the rock in Horeb was split. The blue color represents flowing water and our individual and unique introspective and spiritual journeys through life as well as our desire to soak up insight and knowledge while the rocks represent much needed strength and stability to address the many challenges and adversities in life as we thirst for peace and justice amidst the violence and injustice in our world. The smiling face represents the joy attained when our great thirst is relieved through acts of love, deeds of compassion, moments of peace and the attainment of greater understanding through learning and experience.

Mamaroneck, NY Note: This work of digital art was created using discarded garbage and litter and is titled based on the section of the Simplehuman® discarded box and label from the discarded wine bottle depicting a multitude of human-like images. The various vibrant colors represent the beauty that arises from the rich diversity of the human race because we are in reality of many shades but of equal priceless worth. The heart represents the hope for a more perfect world where love is the guiding principle and each and every person’s inalienable rights are respected and they are treated with the respect and dignity meant for every person. The smiling face represents the joy that will be found in this more perfect world.

Created 26 April 2021 from three photos – a red sphere, Mount Vernon, NY (8 May 2012), a section of the sculpture “Passage” at Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens, Purchase, NY (9 May 2012), and a Corpus at St. Joseph’s Church, Yonkers, NY (18 October 2009). This creation was inspired by Spanish artist Salvador Dalí’s (1904-1989) “Crucifixion” (Corpus Hypercubus) painted in 1954. The red sphere representing the rock that was found rolled away from Christ’s tomb on Easter morning (c. AD 33) takes the place of Dalí’s hypercube. The section of the sculpture “Passage” by Richard Erdman and Roman Travertine, 1985 represents the empty tomb hewn out of stone. The resurrected Jesus with outstretched arms and radiance emanating from his risen “glorified” body stands in front of the stone (red sphere) that had been rolled away epitomizing the triumph of life over death. The various shades, swirls, and bokeh are intended to represent the same “nuclear mysticism” and surrealism as Dalí’s masterpiece painting. Consequently, the pocked rock of the tomb melds with the sky joining heaven and earth, every point on the sphere’s surface is equidistant from its center representing completeness and perpetuity and the tones, swirls and bokeh portray the transition from the spatial temporal reality of our world to the non-spatial eternity of the Kingdom to come made possible by Christ’s resurrection. Per Jesus Christ’s Resurrection real, according to some scientists (Word Press, 5 April 2010), based on “modern particle physics,” such a resurrection… conceivably… occurred when Jesus’ body “dematerialized” from underneath the burial shroud in which its physical matter was converted into neutrinos and then “rematerialized” when outside… [likely initiated through interaction with anti-neutrinos that caused] the neutrinos [to revert] back into their previous form of matter and… when such… rematerialization took place… the process emitted an abundance of light (photonic energy)… corroborat[ing] biblical accounts of His “glorified” body mentioned in Philippians 3:21.

Created from a photo of a wine display in Larchmont, NY (23 October 2011) and photo of a torn advertisement featuring Jesus and Mary for an Italian festival in May 2005 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, White Plains, NY found in Larchmont, NY (17 April 2021). The vibrant colors are meant to represent a stained glass window and joy.

Digital Art created from three photos: Crescent Moon, Irvington, NY (3 August 2008), Minaret, Queens, NY (8 August 2014) and Tulip, Mamaroneck, NY (12 April 2021). The Minaret, the tallest point of a Mosque serves as the place where a muezzin makes the call for prayer based on the command from the Prophet Mohammad – “Rise, O Bilal, and summon to prayer!” The shape, form, and color of a minaret also serve as strong symbols in Islam. The “cuboid” structure represents stability and equality based on the Qu’ranic verses (Apartments 49:13) – “O mankind! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you nations and tribes that you may identify yourselves with one another,” (The Byzantines 30:22) “Among His signs is the creations of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colors…” and (The Family of Imran 3:195) – “I will not lose sight of the labor of any of you who labors in My way, be it man or woman; each of you is equal to the other.” The geometric form of the minaret also represents Islamic belief that God created order (e.g. the laws of physics that govern the universes in which “the sun, the moon, the stars… follow an unalterable law and do not deviate even slightly from their ordained course” and “matter, energy and life… obey laws by which they must grow or change, live or die”) and everything in His creation has a significant place in His “grand scheme.” The roof or dome points towards the sky symbolizing the “gate from heaven and earth” that marks the transition from temporary to eternity” to remind people based on the Qu’ranic verse (The Forgiver 40:39) – “…the life of this world is nothing but a passing enjoyment and indeed, the Hereafter is the abiding home.” It is because of this Islam declares, “When we are reduced to bones and ashes, will we… be raised as a new creation? ‘Yes, even if you become stones, or iron, or whatever you think is harder to bring to life…’ Who will bring us back to life? ‘The One Who created you the first time.’” [Qu’ran: The Night Journey 17:49-51] The white color of the minaret symbolizes “God’s Pure Light,” the “source of existence” and eternity that derives from God’s great love based on the fact that in Islam, God is known as al-Wadud or "He who loves." "Religion is love and love is religion" -- Islam: Imam al-Baqir (676-733 CE) “The Eternal… made all things in [l]ove. On [l]ove they all depend.” [Islam: Farid ud Din Attar, 12th Century CE Sufi poet] Because of this, a key principle of Islam is peace (also symbolized by the white color of the minaret) based on the Prophet Mohammad’s noble and compassionate example when his troops conquered Mecca on 11 December 629. Despite the ill-treatment he had received and attempts on his life, he gave that city’s residents that chance to determine their own fate – “O Quraysh, what do you think of the treatment… I should accord you?” And they said, “Mercy, O Prophet of God. We expect nothing but good from you.” Thereupon Mohammad declared, “…This day there is no reproof against you; go your way, for you are free.” [1] “God created a hundred portions of mercy. He placed one portion between His creation [so] they [could] have compassion on each other…” [Islam: Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim, Al-Tirmidhi, et al.] In Islam, the crescent moon serves as a powerful symbol of God’s greatness while the color “blue” (al-azraq) represents “the impenetrable depths of the universe” and the mystical nature of God, the Creator. At the same time, the color “green” represents life and paradise – “As you look, you will see… bliss and a great kingdom. Upon them will be cloaks of green silk…” [Qu’ran: Man 76:20-21] “And among His signs is that you see the earth barren, but when We send down water on it, it is stirred to life and growth. Verily, He Who gives it life… is able to give life to the dead. Indeed! He is able to do all things.” [Qu’ran: Elaborated 41:39] In addition, in Islam, the tulip not only symbolizes beauty, perfection, and paradise, it also resembles a dome and represents the Muslim written name for God – “Allah.” Last the Arabic cursive to the left declares “Salam!” or “Peace!” since it is the primary attribute of Islam – “Allah guides all who seek to please Him to the ways of peace…” [Qu’ran: The Table 5:16]. It is also fitting since on this evening of 12 April 2021, Muslims around the world Muslims enter into Ramadan , a holy month of prayer and fasting. Wishing every Muslim the best for a peaceful and spiritually uplifting holy month. ________ [1] Conquest of Mecca. Wikipedia. 5 April 2021. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conquest_of_Mecca#:~:text=The%20conquest%20of%20Mecca%20(Arabic,Muhammad%20and%20the%20Quraysh%20tribe . Additional Source: Wan Athirah binti Wan Ahmad Kamal. The Significance of the Minaret as the Symbol of the Official Religion. University Teknologi MARA (UiTM). 8 April 2021. www.academia.edu/8661994/The_Significance_of_the_Minaret_as_the_Symbol_of_the_Official_Religion

Created from Photograph taken at Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY No one takes my life from me. I lay it down of my own accord. [John 10:18] By grace you have been saved. [Ephesians 2:8] …death shall be no more. [Revelation 21:4] The old has passed away; behold the new has come. [2 Corinthians 5:17]

Mamaroneck, NY This image represents an urban setting during the summer. The fragmented square pieces depict the different sections of a major metropolis and street grids with the broken fan blades and colors representing the comfort of green spaces (olive and green) as well as smog and the discomfort of a summer heat wave (reds, oranges and browns) due to population density and often oppressive temperatures. The tiny details represent the numerous buildings that comprise a city from an aerial perspective. The numerous circles represent the joy of cohesive unity and interconnectedness with the smiling face portraying summer joy.

Mamaroneck, NY Green is the color of chlorophyll, a key compound in the vast majority of plants. It is synonymous with positive terms such as clean, renewable and most importantly life including our lives. Without plants there would be no photosynthesis and little to no Oxygen. This fact has just been reinforced by a recent scientific study that indicates a billion years from now the Earth’s atmosphere will contain very little Oxygen as the sun ages and consequently becomes hotter. Because of this, the Earth’s CO2 (Carbon dioxide) levels will plunge as it absorbs the increased heat and breaks down. Photosynthesizing organisms (plants) will become extinct, reducing Oxygen levels by a million times while methane levels will soar by 10,000 fold. As a result complex life, including humans will become extinct leaving the planet in its dying days to anaerobic microbial life. Worse yet, when the process begins, it will unfold quickly over a 10,000 year period bringing the Earth back to its pre Oxidation period some 2.4 billion years ago. Thus, it is more important than ever to protect address climate change and protect our intricate and interconnected ecosystems to ensure this inevitable tragedy is not hastened. And if we can establish ecological harmony, prolong the planet’s life and extend our existence, we can buy time until technological advances allow us to create artificial biospheres to generate and maintain Oxygen and CO2 levels to ensure our survival and that of every complex aerobic life form or at least persevere until the very and inevitable end. If we can avoid prematurely hastening our extinction because of irresponsible actions and policy, we will have reason to smile. Perhaps then, the scary will not be so frightening! :) Because of this, I selected green and yellow colors to emphasize the importance of plant life, renewable clean energy, and our dependence on the Earth’s ecosystems that must be sustained for complex aerobic life like ours to continue. The pastel blues and dark purple represent clean water, also an essential ingredient for the continuity of life. The large red dot, which is intended to draw attention, represents future danger from continued unsustainable adverse climate change and the aging sun. While we cannot control the latter, we can have a positive impact on the former our planet and life do not have a premature end. Article Link: phys.org/news/2021-03-simulations-earth-oxygen-rich-atmosphere-billion.html

Mamaroneck, NY Note: Created to represent the dark winter of 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has led to record hospitalizations, numerous shutdowns, and most tragically of all – 1.05 million deaths worldwide and 248,000 deaths in the USA from 1 December 2020-27 February 2021 alone, figures that don't account for excess deaths related to COVID-19. This digital work of art was created using pandemic-related garbage (a discarded face mask and rubber glove) as well as various other pieces of garbage found over the last month that was placed over the darkest and dirtiest of snow I could find – so black in some places one wouldn’t recognize it as snow. The abundance of black and gray represents the darkness of this winter and the collective mourning the pandemic has brought. The white snowflake and splotch of white snow in the upper right corner represent hope, the flower symbolizes remembrance of all who lost their lives during this pandemic and the splash of reds serve a duo purpose. They both represent "toxic" snow since COVID-19 is clearly toxic to our well being, as well as health and life for we will overcome, we will prevail, and we will LIVE! COVID-19 Stats - Worldometers: www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

Mamaroneck, NY

Created from photos taken in Greenwich, CT, Larchmont, NY, New Rochelle, NY and Jacksonville, FL. from 9 July 2019-15 December 2019.

Mamaroneck, NY Note: I created this abstract from a photo I took in a snowstorm that dumped 8 inches of snow. I used the official colors of 2021 yellow and gray to exude hope -- hope the pandemic will finally end. I titled this picture since it was based on snow and naked branches and used the yellow to represent spring brightness and blossoms that are sure to follow this dark COVID-19 winter as the world is renewed. The white splotches represent a new beginning. Original Photo:

Mamaroneck, NY With Ipernity's uploader working, this is a H (appy) FF ! Besides, here in the USA we need a reason to smile after the coup attemp and in spite of, threats of violence, civil war and the pandemic that's now worse than 9/11 every day.