The Other Side of the Tortoise Mosaic Installation

 Reimagining the Turtle, an exhibition featuring the work of Olga Yukhno, Susan Livingston and Janet Kozachek, will be opening soon at the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center here in Orangeburg, SC.  My installation of nine mosaic panels will make its debut there October 8. The Other Side of the Tortoise, an installation of nine mosaic panels, is a study in duality inspired by my memory of a crucifix in a cathedral in southern France. The crucifix was squared off by incorporating non-western artifacts inserted into the four corner spaces outside a central cross. Although this may have been an expression of religious hegemony, I felt that it might have also been a secret way to add some lively decoration to the cathedral. Contrasts have always been central in my art work, having lived, worked and studied in various cultures. In my mosaic panels, the opposites include: hands vs. faces and flora, the inside of the tortoise shell vs. the outside upper carapace, limited color palettes vs. a keyed up one, ancient Chinese scripts vs. Roman protomes. 

 Reimagining the Turtle

Across cultures and centuries, turtles have carried powerful meanings. They are symbols of the earth, of endurance, of cosmic balance, and of renewal. In Asian traditions, the turtle embodies the connection between heaven and earth, while many Native American communities regard the turtle as sacred, representing Grandmother Earth and marking time with the patterns of its shell. These enduring associations highlight the turtle as a universal emblem of patience, resilience, and the cycle of life.

In Reimagining the Turtle, artists Janet Kozachek, Susan Livingston, and Olga Yukhno offer their own creative interpretations of this timeless figure. Through sculpture, fiber, and mixed media, they explore the turtle as both subject and metaphor, once ancient and ever new. For some, the turtle’s shell becomes a site of design and storytelling, its form a natural geometry inviting reflection. Others emphasize the fragility of life, transforming the shell into a poignant reminder of loss and transience. Still others celebrate the turtle’s journey, from nest to ocean, as a living emblem of hope and renewal.

Together, these works invite us to pause, reflect, and consider the deep connections between nature, spirit, and imagination. They remind us that even in our fast-paced world, the turtle continues to carry stories worth reimagining.

This exhibition will run through the end of this year, 2025. The reception for the artists will be the evening of October 9 from 6 - 8PM  at the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center in Orangeburg, South Carolina.