Tondo: We Must Always Turn South 1981

Editor: We're looking at Stephen Cox's stone sculpture, "Tondo: We Must Always Turn South." It's a circular relief, evoking a rising sun. What visual symbols do you see at play here? Curator: The title is key. "Turning South" implies a journey, perhaps a spiritual one. The sun is almost universally a symbol of life, of warmth, of the divine. Notice how the carved lines radiate, like solar flares, embracing the central disc. What memories or associations does it bring to your mind? Editor: It's like a protective embrace, suggesting guidance and hope. I guess I'm just struck by how tactile it feels. Curator: Yes, the material itself—stone—speaks of permanence, of enduring beliefs. Editor: It's deeper than just a pretty picture! Curator: Precisely. It embodies a journey, a direction, and the enduring power of cultural memory.