For me, the image of the boat is meant to symbolize a voyage or journey, perhaps it is the voyage to the other side, or the journey into the unknown.

My family is from Norway. My father was a fisherman. My grandfather was also a fisherman. My other grandfather, a boat builder. I personally feel had I inherited my father or grandfathers fishing boat, that right now it is easier to make a living as an artist than a fisherman. For me, this is a very sad commentary on the state of our marine environment.

Upon the death of my parents, I made a boat for their ashes and buried them at sea, something like a contemporary Viking funeral. I also made a boat for my best friend and former partner of 24 years, again burying them at sea. These deaths were extremely tragic. My best friend died of AIDS, my father committed suicide, my mother fell apart emotionally and physically and my former partner from alcoholism.

What I am attempting to do is to take something that was personally extremely painful and turn it into something beautiful. - SJ