The Road to Terminus

When we first think of the word terminus, we think of a railroad, correct? At least that is what I thought when I first encountered the term.  Actually, if truth be told, my first exposure to the word came from watching “The Walking Dead” in 2014. The main characters in the show had been separated and were all traveling on different paths. We follow along, watching them in their struggle to find each other, each one discovering a sign that points to Terminus, “Sanctuary for all. Community for all. Those who arrive survive.” It was meant to be a sanctuary in an apocalyptic world, yet we discover together that it isn’t. 

Road To Terminus booth at Reno Tahoe International Art Show 2024

Terminus, Collagraph and Photopolymer Etching, 2017

So, what is terminus? In 2014, I equated it to the end of a journey, but like the characters in “The Walking Dead” the journey is never at an end. There are arrivals and departures in an endless loop. In 2017, I was reminded of the term again when I was invited to participate in the themed print exchange for Southern Graphics Printmaking International Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia. The print I created, titled Terminus, was the origin piece for this series of work. Terminus: A man curled up in the yolk of an egg, his separated silhouette and topographical map of his body floating above the cracked playa. The sewn triangle: a representation of the railroad track that may seem to lead to somewhere, but doesn’t. The stitching represents our ability to mend ourselves despite the adversities we endure.

Terminus, historically refers to the marking of a boundary. In the Roman Empire, all boundary stones had a minor god, Terminus associated with them. This god protected the boundaries between properties. In my own reference to Terminus, I created many prints between 2017 and 2024. These prints were all collagraph and photopolymer etchings that were metaphors for boundaries, chaos, traveling lines leading to something (or nothing at all.) After our world-wide scare in 2020, the prints became a metaphor for the ending. But of course, where there is an end, there is always a beginning, right?

The Sculpture that I created in 2023 titled Terminus and Telos tells a story of the end of days. Telos is an interesting word. I actually stumbled upon it when I was researching Terminus and societal references to decay. During my internet wanderings, I came across Telos as a word that describes the end of philosophy.  In the bible, ROM 10:4 Telos references the loss of moral purpose. Of course, I think of Mad Max. I also think about higher education and maybe just education in the United States as a whole. Have we lost what is so important to the understanding of humanity? Have we lost the ability to challenge and grow from adversity.  The two crows sit atop a dystopian structure – one a teacher, the other, her student. The red marbles are knowledge of the past that is yet unattainable to the student.

Practice, Memory and Song continues the story of "The Road to Terminus" with the little birds as the three muses...or for me three young students learning to live in a brave new world.

Just as birds often symbolize freedom and transcendence, the sculptures in the “Mala” series embodies the idea of transition and transformation. The sculptures serve as a powerful reminder that every ending is a new beginning, and that true freedom lies in embracing change and transformation.

 The word "Mala" has various meanings in different languages. In Spanish, "mala" means bad or evil. In Sanskrit, "mala" can refer to a garland or a rosary used for meditation or prayer. It can also mean a series or collection of something.

Mala-SANA signifies a juxtaposition between negative and positive qualities, suggesting a juxtaposition between a harmful state and a healthy one, thus evoking emotions of redemption, healing, and acceptance of adversity.

 Within the Road to Terminus theme, the concept of an impending warning related to the word "Mala" evokes a sense of foreboding or imminent change. This warning serves as a reminder of the need to be prepared for what lies ahead, to be mindful of potential endings and new beginnings that could arise.

Trogon Territory was inspired by a visit to the surrounding areas of Mexico City and researching the bird motifs in the Olmec writing system. It was interesting to learn that "Trogon" comes from the Greek word for nibbling. Abstracting the symbolism and meanings behind these bird motifs allowed me to draw inspiration from my own memory, considering how the landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritages change through the lens of those that are still here.

The "Baby Dolls" series portrays a tension between our impulse to procreate and concerns about the sustainability of life. In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court neglected its responsibility to uphold essential rights by reversing Roe v. Wade, asserting that there is no constitutional entitlement to abortion. The artwork below, Pain/Pleasure Syndrome emerged amidst the battle for reproductive rights at the state level.

So, what is terminus? I equate it to the end of a journey, but like the characters in “The Walking Dead” the journey is never at an end. There are arrivals and departures in an endless loop.

Candace Nicol Garlock