Evolution of Fearlessness
“Abhaya in Sanskrit means fearlessness, the Abhaya mudra symbolizes protection, peace, and the dispelling of fear. The gesture is made with the right hand raised to shoulder height, arm bent, and palm facing outward.”
Reading Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Guide to Buddhist Signs and Symbols
(Thames & Hudson, 2004)
Evolution of Fearlessness is an intimate‚ interactive installation that responds to touch. The installation forms part of a trilogy with Wallworth’s earlier work Invisible by Night, 2004 and the more recent Duality of Light, 2009. Together the works use a moment of video meeting to communicate powerful human drives such survival and hope.
In creating this work‚ Wallworth filmed portraits of 11 women residing in Australia‚ but originating from countries such as Afghanistan‚ Sudan‚ Iraq and El Salvador‚ who have lived through wars‚ survived concentration camps or extreme acts of violence. The work focuses on a state beyond terror and loss most closely akin to mercy.
Built around the importance of gesture‚ Evolution of Fearlessness provides a tactile gateway to the living women contained in the piece‚ whose stories we are given glimpses of but whose lips do not speak. The work is an intimate reveal of the strength of the human spirit.
Commissioned by New Crowned Hope, produced by Forma
Photos: Rocco Fasano
