James R Ford

'You Can’t Step in the Same River Twice' is currently on display in the National Contemporary Art Award 2025 at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery. The exhibition runs until 16th November.

James R Ford
You Can’t Step in the Same River Twice
2025
Etched glass mirror
92 x 92 cm

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” Every day, people change because of new experiences which shape them. The world is constantly changing: socially, politically, environmentally. And especially after the global pandemic and heightened issues of race in recent years, globally and locally here in Aotearoa.

This work isn’t a warning, more of a self-reflective reminder. As we move forward through the flowing river, we should consider the whakatauki of “Ka Mua Ka Muri” (walking backwards into the future/Looking back in order to move forward). This is alluded to in the use of the mirrored glass: whilst considering the words the viewer can see what is happening behind them. We should look back in order to move forward, but realise that we, and everything around us, is always changing.

I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by Peter Dornauf. You can read the conversation in full on my website: https://www.jamesrford.com/texts-media/introspective-sardonic-and-slightly-philosophic/