~ Threads of Victory ~
Threads of Victory is a t-shirt collection I designed to invite people to be more mindful of the repercussions of our actions. However insignificant you may think yourself to be at times, our words, our presence, and our deeds can make a lasting impact.
Most shirts feature my rendition of νίκη, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, an ancient goddess that symbolizes triumph and that influenced the creation of the giant sports brand Nike.
As the statue now stands beheaded and crippled at the Louvre, I chose to rebuild her from my hand-drawn sketch with new arms, a head, and either a lyre in one version or a bow and arrow in the other. Both versions feature a real flower emerging from the marble.​​
Original statue and reconstruction with a lyre and rose.
This restoration with ancient instruments, one of music and the other of either survival, sport, or war, both require proper tuning to reach the appropriate balance between tension and flexibility in order to culminate in the desired outcome. If a string is too tight, the melody is ruined. If the string is too loose, a target will never be hit.
In turn, whatever may be released, from romantic harmony to life-threatening projectile, cannot be taken back. Unlike fishing rods that can be withdrawn, played notes and an errant arrows alike travel through the air never to return. But there are always echoes and consequences.
It is my understanding that each of us is not too different from these instruments. If we are not properly attuned to the moment and ready to adapt and thrive in our circumstances, whatever we release into the world can be a disaster. How much suffering are we responsible for?
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Too many members of our species live carelessly as if they stand apart from nature and don't bleed the same as a rat or piranha. They seldom think of themselves as potential pests. We may have called ourselves Homo sapiens sapiens but labeling ourselves "wise" twice doesn't make us nice.
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By adding a rose to these designs, in particular replacing the usually sharp arrowhead, I hope to pass along a new notion of victory in society, one that dispels the usual conqueror and oppressed dynamic we've all been accustomed to. We need victories that grace more lives than they ruin.
So, remember: your spark may blind or burn a loved one, as it may also be the guiding light and warmth that someone needs in their numbing darkness. Don your Threads of Victory and, like νίκη, don’t rest on your laurels, wear them, and embody a new way to stand victorious.​​