Using mythological references of Lethe (pronounced Lee-Thee), one of the five rivers of the Greek Underworld, he navigates through the questions of Memory, Identity, Death, and Oblivion.

“Souls of the dead would wander its banks and drink from its waters to forget past lives, mandatory, before being reincarnated. To navigate these Waters of Oblivion, Richard Sudden has built eight, 14′ English kayak frames that he uses, in various manifestations, as metaphorical bodies, vessels, and transports for this ultimate journey. Identity, myth, and the artifacts of memory and oblivion are the themes of this multimedia exhibition.”

This unique exhibition is spread out into three parts- Let us give you a glimpse of each.

Each kayak, or vessel, draws on the four stages of life, and the vertical orientation implements the representation of the vessel as a body.

In Greek mythology, bees are the messengers between the Underworld and the Mortal world.

The vine wreath embraces the circle of life and celebrates nature and simplicity. Richard references the imperfection of human creation with the off-centered plumb bob, but also the drive for ideals, and the inevitable imperfection and its beauty.

These paintings have the most interesting inclination of time.

The Film, “For the Waters of Lethe,” in the carriage house:
In collaboration with: Jason Vise | Filmmaker



The film is shown throughout gallery hours.

*The second is in the White Spec:

Whitespec accommodates Sudden’s works on paper. It is encaustic on braille. There is a certain reverence of the subject from the patient process of painting and mark making.

*Lastly, the shed:

You would go through these doors, and then step a little to the right to find the shed. We’ll save these pictures for later. Come by Whitespace and experience it for yourselves.