True North

True North
Terri Kern
1964
Artist Biography
Acquisition Number: 2010.1
Medium: Red earthenware
Size: 5" x 11 1/2" x 4 1/2"
Date: 2009
Credit: Purchased by the Canton Museum of Art

"This piece maps my journey as an artist. Planning a direction, getting blown off course by things both in and out of my control, and then trying to find my way back, my direction, my home, my true north. Sometimes the fish on my pieces swim against the current. That’s what you do when you’re trying to change and move in a new direction. It’s easier to go with the current (it's familiar) but if you do that you eventually stop moving forward. Sometimes you need to fail or go off course to become better. The moon always represents the presence of emotion. Stars help light the way when you get lost. The different patterns on the fish bodies speak to the idea that there’s no right way to get things done. It’s different for everybody. And the happiness that some of the fish show on their faces reflects the joy of being creative. Well, sometimes it’s a joy and sometimes it’s really hard. You just have to push through the hard part to the good part." - Terri Kern