Carrying Time Forward

150 × 100 cm
Mixed Media on Canvas | Original Artwork

Carrying Time Forward is a meditation on patience, memory and the quiet strength of moving through life at one’s own pace.

An ancient symbol of wisdom, endurance and resilience, the turtle becomes a traveller in this work, carrying a collection of vintage suitcases across an open landscape. Each suitcase evokes the passage of time — moments lived, memories gathered, stories carried and experiences that become part of who we are.

The heavily textured surface, created through layered gesso and acrylic, reflects the accumulation of life itself. Layers build upon layers, creating areas that feel weathered and worn alongside luminous passages touched with traces of gold. The tactile surface becomes a visual metaphor for the marks that time leaves behind, and the beauty that can emerge from them.

Soft splashes, flowing marks and a glowing horizon introduce a sense of movement and possibility. The turtle is not travelling toward a clearly defined destination, but simply continuing forward, guided by the light ahead.

The work invites the viewer to pause and reflect on their own journey — the memories they carry, the experiences that have shaped them, and the understanding that meaningful progress does not need to be hurried.

Carrying Time Forward is ultimately a celebration of moving slowly, carrying what matters, and trusting that there is value not only in where we are going, but in everything we gather along the way.