An Odd House
An Odd House, Bonavista, oil on Birch panel. 12" x 12", Steven Rhude What really constitutes an allegory? When I encountered this house in Bonavista I naturally wondered about its hidden meaning, its spirit, and all the psycho/social configurations that accompany a dwelling that is one third stripped bare of its clothing, or outer cladding if we are to respect the tradesman use of the term. Revealing the underlayers of mind and mentality, it was once configured a home with parents and children that fished. Nonetheless it is by appearance an odd house. One rarely encounters a dwelling in such an indecisive state. But this is just one thing - the health of another house, that is a resource based industry is another. Both houses were intentionally connected. A cemented relationship within its neighbourhood - the sea. Is it just an illusion for us to visually pass over, a facade to easily topple with the push of a hand? Down the street from me