William Sutherland's photos

Larchmont, NY Note: I selected the title 1-1_3-1-1-3 since often during times of repression people have to use symbols and numbers to protect their lives and to express the magnitude and gravity and global ramifications of a coup if it succeeded in the United States. In my photo, I used an image of the constitution with the preamble “We the People” since it is the fundamental basis of the American democracy and all free countries and Scrabble® letters to form my message and provide the code numbers – “No Coup” and two pawns, one black and one white to represent people of all races and genders. The pawns are fallen since a coup would be the death knell of the United States, the people, our inalienable rights including that to even exist, our dreams and ultimate control over our personal destiny. Sadly, today's events in the United States has compelled me to move this photo to the front of my photo stream. This is the first time Washington, D.C. has seen political violence since 1876, the first time since 1814 during the War of 1812, the Capitol was stormed, and the first time people have died in this violence -- one brave Capitol police officer among the five who died. Regardless of what happens now, one cannot say we had a peaceful transition of power when President-elect Biden is certified the winner tonight or early tomorrow and sworn in on 20 January 2021. Those who engaged in this political violence and stormed the Capitol are terrorists, insurrectionists, and traitors. It was a violent coup attempt to overturn the will of the people expressed in free and fair elections. There's no other way to put it. I condemn these despicable acts in the strongest terms. Long live the Constitution and democracy! They will prevail while those involved including President Trump will be forever viewed with shame as history has no reason to be kind to them... ever!

Larchmont, NY Created using Scrabble letters, superimposed numbers for the year, a face mask and the official colors of 2021 -- yellow and gray to symbolize the hope this new year brings with the advent of vaccines and the prospect it marks the beginning of the end of the horrific COVID-19 pandemic.

Larchmont, NY

Mamaroneck, NY Note: The soft colors represent harmony between technology – most notably Artificial Intelligence (AI) and humanity with the hope that technology improves standards of living through economic innovation, advancements in healthcare and solutions for climate change. The soft oranges and reds represent hope for a kinder, gentler and more loving world where people respect diversity in all its forms and put aside weapons of war and the primitive mindset that courage and valor are uniquely and solely synonymous with combat and warfare when in fact courage and valor are also synonymous with conscientious objection and the refusal to take up arms to preserve peace and the very trait that ought to differentiate intelligent forms of life, "human," in this instance from all other forms – acts too that entail great risk and sacrifice, often resulting in loss of property and quality of life through persecution and refugee status, loss of freedom through unjust imprisonment, loss of reputation through slanderous attacks and even loss of life itself through unconscionable acts of violence and "executions." The abstract patterns represent the unlimited possibilities of our dreams while the linear patterns represent software coding and innovation that bring technological advancement and scientific discovery to fruition. This work of art was created using a few simple discarded items – wooden boards, insulator, bolts, a hydraulic spacer ring, and torn rubber spacer ring.

Twin Pandemics: l. New York Public Library, New York, NY (17 September 2020); r. Africa Center, New York, NY (16 September 2020) Safe Spaces: Central Park, New York, NY (16 September 2020) _________ www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

Larchmont, NY Note: Created from garbage and litter found on the street that included several checkers, some of which had been damaged by moving vehicles. The warm pastel colors are intended to present an atmosphere of comfort and calm. The olive and brown tones represent our interconnectedness to nature and each and every ecosystem on the planet. The abstract shapes and forms represent our indigenous stature with regard to the Earth based on our creation from “the dust of the ground” [Genesis 2:7] that is inclusive of each and every race and gender – “He gave you… diversity of tongues and colors” [Qu’ran: The Romans 30:22]. Because of this, it is imperative we protect our planet and its interconnected ecosystems and human rights for “What should it matter that one bowl is dark and the other pale, if each is of good design and serves its purpose well.” [Hopi (North American Indian) Proverb: Polingaysi Qoyawayma]. The joy arises when harmony between peoples and humanity and nature exist.

Mamaroneck, NY Note: Composed from garbage consisting of discarded ductwork, bolts, the remains of a rubber spacer ring, and toy cars. The duct pipes and horizontal, vertical and curvy lines represent the highway and street grid and the endless possibilities that lie ahead contingent upon the road taken, the toy cars represent rush hour traffic while the duct work on the left resembles a muffler and tailpipe. The orangey-brown earthen tones represent the colors of the sky during the waning hours of the day while the traces of purple and blue represent the approaching dusk. The shades of gray represent an urban setting where traffic jams are most prevalent. Last, if we make a good choice for travel or have an easy rush hour commute, safe return to our families and loved ones and/or chance to wind down from the hectic activities of the day over dinner, a glass of wine, TV or hobby, as the face indicates – there is reason to smile!

Mamaroneck, NY Note: Circles was created using the contents of a discarded bag of plastic rings and other circular objects found in discarded garbage. Each and every circle, including those that are less visible (since sometimes the hidden, the unnoticed, the unappreciated and the unsung have the greatest beauty and the greatest contribution to offer!) – represent the infinite and eternity. It is up to each of us to create and define the indelible record of our existence for good before we pass onto eternity. The face represents joy from acts of kindness, deeds of good and most importantly love, the latter attribute that should be the center of every circle. This photograph is black and white since the circles and the face do not need color to stand out and express their message. Considering this photograph was taken during the waning days of summer here in Mamaroneck, NY, a coastal village on the Long Island Sound in the Northern Hemisphere, fragments of the lyrics of Belinda Carlisle’s 1987 hit song, Circle in the Sand are fitting – “Walking through the summer’s end… Waves crash… Tide moves in, shivers in the salty air…” with fitting advice, also from the same song – “Don’t look back… Some things are forever…” Love is forever; therefore let us remember and cherish good times together with family and friends since our temporal existence here on Earth is so fragile and fleeting and let the inspirational quote below serve as a fitting example – “…love a little deeper, laugh a little louder, hold the ones you love a little tighter [b] ecause tomorrow is never promised.” [Anonymous]

Mamaroneck, NY Note: This abstract was created using discarded garbage and litter consisting of plastic debris, a rubber spacer ring, red foam heart, broken tiles and lima beans. When I created this work, I intended to break numerous rules, starting with the title Cela , inscribed on one of the broken tiles, which is derived from the French contraction Ce + là , which means “That.” In this case “That” is 1 John 4:8 and 16 – “God is Love.” Accordingly, the heart that represents God’s unconditional, unfailing and unending love based on Psalm 136:26: “Give thanks to God… for His steadfast love endures forever” was converted into a colorless heart because in reality His sacred heart is immaculate and pure and untarnished by even the slightest ill, evil and negativity, the black spacer ring that represents light and eternity maintained its color despite conventional views since black too as does every color, connotes brightness and goodness. The cross represents God’s great sacrifice that broke the chains of death while the widespread red represents God’s passion and love exhibited so clearly when He gave his life for each and every one of us and the power of the Holy Spirit that guides, inspires, purifies and sustains our existence – “And there appeared to them tongues as of fire…” [Acts 2:3] “to purify…” [Titus 2:14] and , based on Psalm 51:10 “create in [each of us] a clean heart." The faint wavy flows symbolize rebirth to eternity based on John 3:5 “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” All of us are body (75% of water) and soul! The lima beans represent seeds of faith based on the parable found in Luke 17:5-6: “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’ and it will obey you” while the simplicity proclaims the words of Matthew 11:30 – “ [M] y yoke is easy and M y burden is light.” Finally, the face represents the blissful attainment of eternal life in the presence of God captured by Psalm 16:11: “In Your presence is fullness of joy.”

Mamaroneck, NY Note: Created from discarded garbage including a basket and rim. Aside from the obvious basket and rim, the strong horizontal lines represent the backboard, the disc at the right represents a basketball and the fact every game starts at zero while the happy face represents the joy, unity and good-natured rivalry sports bring to society. The abstract patterns symbolize the unpredictability of each game's outcome since until the buzzer sounds and the result is final anything can happen since statistics and projections are not substitutes for actual play. The pale reds and oranges represent the rim while the flat purple represents the hardwood floor the game is played on. The vibrant red on the disc (the basketball) that is the focal point of the game represents the "fantastic vibe of the game and spectators."

Mamaroneck, NY Note: The discarded rags represent the rolling waves and surf while the circle represents the continuity of tidal patterns. The abstract geometric patterns represent the diverse fashion and design of beachware that adds to summer beauty. The tan and earthen tones represent the smooth sand, the turquoise, aqua colors and slate blue the refreshing waters, the trace of dark blue spotty chill, and the traces of red the summer heat. The face represents the joy and comfort beaches provide from the oppressive summer heat while its lips with their yellow color represent the sun above.

Larchmont, NY Note: Still Life created using digital textures and colors from a photo taken on 15 July 2020. The "I Love NY" logo was created by Milton Glaser (1928-2020) in 1976 when New York City faced great challenges ranging from verge of bankruptcy, urban flight to the suburbs and high crime. Mr. Glaser created a special logo when NYC was reeling from 9/11. The heart was slightly singed and the wording read, "I Love NY More Than Ever." Considering Mr. Glaser recently passed away at 91 (26 June 2020), to honor his memory and the state and city I love, I created a logo to fit the COVID-19 moment that has hit the state and city so hard (on 18 July 2020) using a face mask and heart I obtained from Clipart Library , a site that offers free clip art for use without copyright restrictions. This logo is displayed below:

Mamaroneck, NY Created from the inside of a discarded dryer. The pulley wheel at the top represents COVID-19. The black areas represent the darkness of the pandemic and mourning. The gray splotches represent uncertainty complemented by the abstract linear patterns that represent the many unexpected turns in life. The soft pastel pinks and yellows represent the light of a new dawn just before the sun rises above the horizon since we still await this sunrise when the pandemic recedes. The earthen tones represent life and recovery for through it all we will persevere and LIVE! The vibrant reds represent love, fortitude and renewal for through love and the fact we are “human strong” we shall overcome. The face represents the day our “sorrow will be turned to joy” [John 16:20] and the pandemic is nothing more than a distant memory.

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY Every COVID-19 death has a name... and every COVID-19 death, reported, unreported or covered-up, is real. Digitially enhanced collage created from the hundreds of posters, flyers, banners, and images attached to Green-Wood Cemetery's fence just to the right of the main entrance at 500 25th Street to reinforce the heart-breaking reality of COVID-19 here in NYC and everywhere in the world. www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY In light of the unlawful murder of George Floyd at the hands of four MPD cops and the nationwide riots, looting and acts of arson, I chose to focus on the positive with hope this time will be different and African-Americans will have their lives valued and will no longer have to live under "police-state" conditions in America. Therefore, I photographed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s inspirational saying that is eternally relevant as well as "Black Lives Matter" posters and graffiti honoring George Floyd, the latter two digitally edited, found also in Brooklyn, NY. I did not include the looted and borded up stores around Barclays Center that include but are not limited to Shake Shack, Target, Modell's, Old Navy. I also didn't include photos of rage influenced graffiti since hopefully now these are days of healing and the beginning of a grass roots movement to create a more perfect union where human rights are respected and peoples of all diversity interact and live in peace. The LED display is located on the Barclays Center, home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.

Merged Image created from photographs I took in Larchmont, NY on 31 May 2020 (the squashed, torn and soiled American flag) and in Bridgeport, CT on 27 November 2014 (the graffiti message). Racial injustice has been going on for too long in the USA. While it is sad to see the looting and arson, these are natural and tragic consequences to the endemic racism that continues to plague American society. This has to stop! Police reform is badly needed and in my opinion, it should start with instituting a mandatory policy of de-escalation. Physical force should only be used when violent crimes occur, for self-defense, and to protect life and property when imminent danger exists and to the minimal degree necessary. Suspected offenses like drug possession, open container violations, loitering, and with the case of George Floyd passing a counterfeit bill that he may not have even known was counterfeit based on the premise of "innocent until proven guilty," a right ALL Americans are guaranteed, should have resulted in no more than a written summons to appear in court to explain his side of the story. No handcuffs or arrest was necessary. And for those who say this is naive, I strongly disagree. It is possible with proper training, discipline and respect for the U.S. Constitution, legal framework, impartial justice that is blind to color and equal for all, and human rights. #BlackOutTuesday 2 June 2020

COVID-19 deaths here in New York and in every country and region of the world are an “Incalculable Loss since “They were not simply names on a list. They were us.” For instance, just six names presented on The New York Times cover page and ensuing follow-up pages infallibly testify to this fact and the gaping emptiness left behind in their passing: Romi Cohn, 91 – New York City, Saved 56 Jewish families from the Gestapo Janissa Delacruz, 31 – Haverstraw, NY, Known for having a smile on her face Joseph Feingold, 97 – New York City, Architect and Holocaust survivor Mike Field, 59 – Valley Stream, NY, First responder during the 9/11 attacks Kious Kelly, 48 – New York City, Nurse in the Covid fight Vincent Lionti, 60 – New York City, Met Opera violinist and youth orchestra conductor The COVID-19 death toll is staggering and these deaths are real! For New York City, the COVID-19 death toll is now greater than even that of the 1918 Influenza pandemic: +232 at the end of the day 25 May 2020. On this Memorial Day, let us remember each and every COVID-19 victim, many of them heroes who selflessly gave up their lives, some without the necessary PPE, to save others as well as the brave men and women of the armed forces, who also selflessly died so we can live in freedom. Note: I created this still life using the cover from the 24 May 2020 edition of The New York Times that lists just a mere 1% of America’s COVID-19 victims, a burning candle to mourn their loss, and a bottle of tequila with a “Freedom Tower, One World Observatory” shot glass, the latter from Ground Zero since 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic are two events that will forever remain in the collective NYC psyche. I also splashed tequila on The New York Times Cover, used selective color, shadows and grunge effects to evoke greater emotions from the staggering loss that can never be fully comprehended nor forgotten no matter how much one may try to drown it away, a futile attempt that leads only to unsteady and shaky hands, a hangover for some and then the return of cruel reality – acute emptiness and pain that will never be fully healed. www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries NYS Re-opening Metrics: forward.ny.gov/regional-monitoring-dashboard

The inspiration of this photo composition comes from Lamentations 1 since as they were relevant to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, they are strikingly relevant to New York City of 2020, viewed by many as the “capital of the world.” In the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, NYC has seen eerily empty streets, and scarce few visitors from the outside. Her businesses are shuttered and shut and cultural venues silenced. NYC has also been abandoned by many of her wealthiest who at the start of the pandemic, fled in fear. She has experienced empty shelves and been embraced by a new “Great Depression” and the consequent reality that things of value during the pre-COVID-19 era matter little today with some trading material goods for scarce necessities. Last, in her greatest time of need, NYC has been abandoned by the federal government and denied essential funding for hospitals and overtime costs, and resources such as sufficient quantities of test kits for prompt tests for all. Lamentations 1: [1] How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations! [2] Bitterly she weeps… tears are on her cheeks… [T] here is no one to comfort her. [4] All her gateways are desolate… her young women grieve, and she is in bitter anguish. [6] All the splendor has departed… Her princes… in weakness they have fled… [7] When her people fell… there was no one to help her. [11] …her people groan as they search for bread; they barter their treasures for food to keep themselves alive. [20] I am in torment within… inside, there is only death. [22] My groans are many and my heart is faint. Fortunately NYC and the world will not remain mired in this hellish pandemic forever since we are reminded in Lamentations 3:57-58: You came near when I called to You, and You said, “Do not fear!” You… took up my case; you redeemed my life! And yes, so as declared in Psalm 104:30 – “You send forth Your spirit… and renew the face of the Earth” we can be assured – “Mourning will be turned into joy!” [Jeremiah 31:13] as the COVID-19 pandemic is “swept away… like the morning mist” [Isaiah 44:22] such that “Times of refreshing may [yet] come [again] .” [Acts 3:19] Note: Created May 17, 2020 from photographs taken at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, NY (May 7, 2012) and Rockefeller Center Observation Deck, New York, NY (December 23, 2016). www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries NYS Re-opening Metrics: forward.ny.gov/regional-monitoring-dashboard