William Sutherland's photos with the keyword: Joy

Mamaroneck, NY "The old has passed away; behold the new has come!" [2 Corinthians 5:17]

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.

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.

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: 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: 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."

Jay Estate Grounds/Marshlands Conservancy, Rye, NY Additional: “Find joy in what is.” [Anonymous] “Be joyful always.” [Thessalonians 5:16] Top left: Remains of a sink, piping, a brick and section of tiled floor from an early 20th century two- story house of which only the foundation remains. Bottom left: Recent garbage consisting of paper, plastic, a discarded water bottle and toothpaste tube. Right: Broken glass and boards from a small greenhouse once used to grow delphiniums during the 1930s along with fallen leaves and a fallen black walnut ( Juglans nigra ). This section has been abandoned since the 1950s and appears to be set for a makeover, in which most of the trees and imbedded appliances and garbage, some entrenched deep in the soil, will be removed. This area was abandoned in the 1950s and now consists of the foundations of two houses, the remains of a greenhouse used to grow delphiniums before outdoor planting, and the remains of these buildings reclaimed by nature as well as recent garbage and litter. And for Halloween created from recent garbage in this same area consisting of a toy axle and wheels, discarded plastic, a wrapper, eye glasses arm, fishing rod float, and plastic eye ball:

Mamaroneck, NY Note: The colors represent a fresh start, renewal, tranquility, friendship and love (turquoise), light, purity and goodness as life is precious and good in spite of challenges and other hardships that may arise (white), as well as stability and eternity (blue). The circles represent continuity in which the past, present and future are inextricably linked as well as perpetuity reinforcing the eternal message of the blue shades, the broken shards (other than the triangles) represent our imperfections which are cleansed by the soothing turquoise shades that offer a new start at the beginning of the year. The triangular shards reinforce the inextricable link between periods of time and the stability offered by the blue shades; they also represent air and water that are essential for all forms of life. Finally the smiling face represents joy for each new year brings new hope and new dreams and each day of life with breath ought be a day of joy filled with friendship, love and treasured relationships.

Mamaroneck, NY Note: The colors are intended to project warmth and heat fueled by the shining sun above. The vertical strips are used to create a quilt-like surrealist effect while the grated, flowing lines are meant to simultaneously represent desert sands as well as metal grating from an urban setting -- both environments subject to intense summer heat. The pieces of the copper tray are formed to symbolize a large container of refreshing water represented by the cooling purple colors.

Mamaroneck, NY