Susie Johnston

Columna reflects my love of visual metaphor and the power of objects to transform and challenge inherited ways of knowing the world. 

A human spine contains 33 vertebrae. The word columna has its origins in Latin meaning ‘root,’ and is tied to the idea of a column, pillar or a hill. 

The 33 ballet shoes, many of which belonged to my daughter Lily, were pressed firmly into each pointe, and as a structure emerged into what resembled a metaphorical spine, appearing strong and sturdy, yet equally vulnerable, fragile and impermanent.