Wind Dervish (#32 on marker)

Artist: John McKinnon

About: This sculpture was created as part of the 2017 sculpture symposium in celebration of Canada 150, Ontario 150, and Dysart 150. The theme of the symposium was “Carved on the Canadian Shield.” For John McKinnon, trips across the Canadian Shield conjure up images of stone, wind, and timelessness. Over eons, the stone that never seem to change or move is picked up layer by microscopic layer and carried off by the wind. The wind itself, an invisible force that manifests its presence in the things that it moves and shapes, is an expression of time. This piece thinks outside of time. Thousands of years have been compressed into a moment, and the layer of stone has risen up and is dancing like a Dervish in the wind.

Carved on the Canadian Shield:

Four artists from three countries visited Haliburton for a three week sculpture symposium in 2017 in celebration of Dysart 150, Ontario 150, and Canada 150. Beginning with a block of limestone, each artist was tasked with creating a piece that reflected the theme of carving on the Canadian Shield.