William Sutherland's photos

Created from Photograph taken at Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY No one takes my life from me. I lay it down of my own accord. [John 10:18] By grace you have been saved. [Ephesians 2:8] …death shall be no more. [Revelation 21:4] The old has passed away; behold the new has come. [2 Corinthians 5:17]

Mamaroneck, NY This image represents an urban setting during the summer. The fragmented square pieces depict the different sections of a major metropolis and street grids with the broken fan blades and colors representing the comfort of green spaces (olive and green) as well as smog and the discomfort of a summer heat wave (reds, oranges and browns) due to population density and often oppressive temperatures. The tiny details represent the numerous buildings that comprise a city from an aerial perspective. The numerous circles represent the joy of cohesive unity and interconnectedness with the smiling face portraying summer joy.

Mamaroneck, NY Green is the color of chlorophyll, a key compound in the vast majority of plants. It is synonymous with positive terms such as clean, renewable and most importantly life including our lives. Without plants there would be no photosynthesis and little to no Oxygen. This fact has just been reinforced by a recent scientific study that indicates a billion years from now the Earth’s atmosphere will contain very little Oxygen as the sun ages and consequently becomes hotter. Because of this, the Earth’s CO2 (Carbon dioxide) levels will plunge as it absorbs the increased heat and breaks down. Photosynthesizing organisms (plants) will become extinct, reducing Oxygen levels by a million times while methane levels will soar by 10,000 fold. As a result complex life, including humans will become extinct leaving the planet in its dying days to anaerobic microbial life. Worse yet, when the process begins, it will unfold quickly over a 10,000 year period bringing the Earth back to its pre Oxidation period some 2.4 billion years ago. Thus, it is more important than ever to protect address climate change and protect our intricate and interconnected ecosystems to ensure this inevitable tragedy is not hastened. And if we can establish ecological harmony, prolong the planet’s life and extend our existence, we can buy time until technological advances allow us to create artificial biospheres to generate and maintain Oxygen and CO2 levels to ensure our survival and that of every complex aerobic life form or at least persevere until the very and inevitable end. If we can avoid prematurely hastening our extinction because of irresponsible actions and policy, we will have reason to smile. Perhaps then, the scary will not be so frightening! :) Because of this, I selected green and yellow colors to emphasize the importance of plant life, renewable clean energy, and our dependence on the Earth’s ecosystems that must be sustained for complex aerobic life like ours to continue. The pastel blues and dark purple represent clean water, also an essential ingredient for the continuity of life. The large red dot, which is intended to draw attention, represents future danger from continued unsustainable adverse climate change and the aging sun. While we cannot control the latter, we can have a positive impact on the former our planet and life do not have a premature end. Article Link: phys.org/news/2021-03-simulations-earth-oxygen-rich-atmosphere-billion.html

Mamaroneck, NY Note: Created to represent the dark winter of 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has led to record hospitalizations, numerous shutdowns, and most tragically of all – 1.05 million deaths worldwide and 248,000 deaths in the USA from 1 December 2020-27 February 2021 alone, figures that don't account for excess deaths related to COVID-19. This digital work of art was created using pandemic-related garbage (a discarded face mask and rubber glove) as well as various other pieces of garbage found over the last month that was placed over the darkest and dirtiest of snow I could find – so black in some places one wouldn’t recognize it as snow. The abundance of black and gray represents the darkness of this winter and the collective mourning the pandemic has brought. The white snowflake and splotch of white snow in the upper right corner represent hope, the flower symbolizes remembrance of all who lost their lives during this pandemic and the splash of reds serve a duo purpose. They both represent "toxic" snow since COVID-19 is clearly toxic to our well being, as well as health and life for we will overcome, we will prevail, and we will LIVE! COVID-19 Stats - Worldometers: www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

Mamaroneck, NY

Created from photos taken in Greenwich, CT, Larchmont, NY, New Rochelle, NY and Jacksonville, FL. from 9 July 2019-15 December 2019.

Mamaroneck, NY Note: I created this abstract from a photo I took in a snowstorm that dumped 8 inches of snow. I used the official colors of 2021 yellow and gray to exude hope -- hope the pandemic will finally end. I titled this picture since it was based on snow and naked branches and used the yellow to represent spring brightness and blossoms that are sure to follow this dark COVID-19 winter as the world is renewed. The white splotches represent a new beginning. Original Photo:

Mamaroneck, NY With Ipernity's uploader working, this is a H (appy) FF ! Besides, here in the USA we need a reason to smile after the coup attemp and in spite of, threats of violence, civil war and the pandemic that's now worse than 9/11 every day.

Larchmont, NY Note: I selected the title 1-1_3-1-1-3 since often during times of repression people have to use symbols and numbers to protect their lives and to express the magnitude and gravity and global ramifications of a coup if it succeeded in the United States. In my photo, I used an image of the constitution with the preamble “We the People” since it is the fundamental basis of the American democracy and all free countries and Scrabble® letters to form my message and provide the code numbers – “No Coup” and two pawns, one black and one white to represent people of all races and genders. The pawns are fallen since a coup would be the death knell of the United States, the people, our inalienable rights including that to even exist, our dreams and ultimate control over our personal destiny. Sadly, today's events in the United States has compelled me to move this photo to the front of my photo stream. This is the first time Washington, D.C. has seen political violence since 1876, the first time since 1814 during the War of 1812, the Capitol was stormed, and the first time people have died in this violence -- one brave Capitol police officer among the five who died. Regardless of what happens now, one cannot say we had a peaceful transition of power when President-elect Biden is certified the winner tonight or early tomorrow and sworn in on 20 January 2021. Those who engaged in this political violence and stormed the Capitol are terrorists, insurrectionists, and traitors. It was a violent coup attempt to overturn the will of the people expressed in free and fair elections. There's no other way to put it. I condemn these despicable acts in the strongest terms. Long live the Constitution and democracy! They will prevail while those involved including President Trump will be forever viewed with shame as history has no reason to be kind to them... ever!

Larchmont, NY Created using Scrabble letters, superimposed numbers for the year, a face mask and the official colors of 2021 -- yellow and gray to symbolize the hope this new year brings with the advent of vaccines and the prospect it marks the beginning of the end of the horrific COVID-19 pandemic.

Larchmont, NY

Mamaroneck, NY Note: The soft colors represent harmony between technology – most notably Artificial Intelligence (AI) and humanity with the hope that technology improves standards of living through economic innovation, advancements in healthcare and solutions for climate change. The soft oranges and reds represent hope for a kinder, gentler and more loving world where people respect diversity in all its forms and put aside weapons of war and the primitive mindset that courage and valor are uniquely and solely synonymous with combat and warfare when in fact courage and valor are also synonymous with conscientious objection and the refusal to take up arms to preserve peace and the very trait that ought to differentiate intelligent forms of life, "human," in this instance from all other forms – acts too that entail great risk and sacrifice, often resulting in loss of property and quality of life through persecution and refugee status, loss of freedom through unjust imprisonment, loss of reputation through slanderous attacks and even loss of life itself through unconscionable acts of violence and "executions." The abstract patterns represent the unlimited possibilities of our dreams while the linear patterns represent software coding and innovation that bring technological advancement and scientific discovery to fruition. This work of art was created using a few simple discarded items – wooden boards, insulator, bolts, a hydraulic spacer ring, and torn rubber spacer ring.

Twin Pandemics: l. New York Public Library, New York, NY (17 September 2020); r. Africa Center, New York, NY (16 September 2020) Safe Spaces: Central Park, New York, NY (16 September 2020) _________ www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

Larchmont, NY Note: Created from garbage and litter found on the street that included several checkers, some of which had been damaged by moving vehicles. The warm pastel colors are intended to present an atmosphere of comfort and calm. The olive and brown tones represent our interconnectedness to nature and each and every ecosystem on the planet. The abstract shapes and forms represent our indigenous stature with regard to the Earth based on our creation from “the dust of the ground” [Genesis 2:7] that is inclusive of each and every race and gender – “He gave you… diversity of tongues and colors” [Qu’ran: The Romans 30:22]. Because of this, it is imperative we protect our planet and its interconnected ecosystems and human rights for “What should it matter that one bowl is dark and the other pale, if each is of good design and serves its purpose well.” [Hopi (North American Indian) Proverb: Polingaysi Qoyawayma]. The joy arises when harmony between peoples and humanity and nature exist.

Mamaroneck, NY Note: Composed from garbage consisting of discarded ductwork, bolts, the remains of a rubber spacer ring, and toy cars. The duct pipes and horizontal, vertical and curvy lines represent the highway and street grid and the endless possibilities that lie ahead contingent upon the road taken, the toy cars represent rush hour traffic while the duct work on the left resembles a muffler and tailpipe. The orangey-brown earthen tones represent the colors of the sky during the waning hours of the day while the traces of purple and blue represent the approaching dusk. The shades of gray represent an urban setting where traffic jams are most prevalent. Last, if we make a good choice for travel or have an easy rush hour commute, safe return to our families and loved ones and/or chance to wind down from the hectic activities of the day over dinner, a glass of wine, TV or hobby, as the face indicates – there is reason to smile!

Mamaroneck, NY Note: Circles was created using the contents of a discarded bag of plastic rings and other circular objects found in discarded garbage. Each and every circle, including those that are less visible (since sometimes the hidden, the unnoticed, the unappreciated and the unsung have the greatest beauty and the greatest contribution to offer!) – represent the infinite and eternity. It is up to each of us to create and define the indelible record of our existence for good before we pass onto eternity. The face represents joy from acts of kindness, deeds of good and most importantly love, the latter attribute that should be the center of every circle. This photograph is black and white since the circles and the face do not need color to stand out and express their message. Considering this photograph was taken during the waning days of summer here in Mamaroneck, NY, a coastal village on the Long Island Sound in the Northern Hemisphere, fragments of the lyrics of Belinda Carlisle’s 1987 hit song, Circle in the Sand are fitting – “Walking through the summer’s end… Waves crash… Tide moves in, shivers in the salty air…” with fitting advice, also from the same song – “Don’t look back… Some things are forever…” Love is forever; therefore let us remember and cherish good times together with family and friends since our temporal existence here on Earth is so fragile and fleeting and let the inspirational quote below serve as a fitting example – “…love a little deeper, laugh a little louder, hold the ones you love a little tighter [b] ecause tomorrow is never promised.” [Anonymous]

Mamaroneck, NY Note: This abstract was created using discarded garbage and litter consisting of plastic debris, a rubber spacer ring, red foam heart, broken tiles and lima beans. When I created this work, I intended to break numerous rules, starting with the title Cela , inscribed on one of the broken tiles, which is derived from the French contraction Ce + là , which means “That.” In this case “That” is 1 John 4:8 and 16 – “God is Love.” Accordingly, the heart that represents God’s unconditional, unfailing and unending love based on Psalm 136:26: “Give thanks to God… for His steadfast love endures forever” was converted into a colorless heart because in reality His sacred heart is immaculate and pure and untarnished by even the slightest ill, evil and negativity, the black spacer ring that represents light and eternity maintained its color despite conventional views since black too as does every color, connotes brightness and goodness. The cross represents God’s great sacrifice that broke the chains of death while the widespread red represents God’s passion and love exhibited so clearly when He gave his life for each and every one of us and the power of the Holy Spirit that guides, inspires, purifies and sustains our existence – “And there appeared to them tongues as of fire…” [Acts 2:3] “to purify…” [Titus 2:14] and , based on Psalm 51:10 “create in [each of us] a clean heart." The faint wavy flows symbolize rebirth to eternity based on John 3:5 “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” All of us are body (75% of water) and soul! The lima beans represent seeds of faith based on the parable found in Luke 17:5-6: “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’ and it will obey you” while the simplicity proclaims the words of Matthew 11:30 – “ [M] y yoke is easy and M y burden is light.” Finally, the face represents the blissful attainment of eternal life in the presence of God captured by Psalm 16:11: “In Your presence is fullness of joy.”

Mamaroneck, NY Note: Created from discarded garbage including a basket and rim. Aside from the obvious basket and rim, the strong horizontal lines represent the backboard, the disc at the right represents a basketball and the fact every game starts at zero while the happy face represents the joy, unity and good-natured rivalry sports bring to society. The abstract patterns symbolize the unpredictability of each game's outcome since until the buzzer sounds and the result is final anything can happen since statistics and projections are not substitutes for actual play. The pale reds and oranges represent the rim while the flat purple represents the hardwood floor the game is played on. The vibrant red on the disc (the basketball) that is the focal point of the game represents the "fantastic vibe of the game and spectators."