INTRODUCTION

The massive skeleton of a marine mammal looms from above, its bleached bones suspended in mid-air. To juxtapose the presence of this colossal creature, below it lie tanks teeming with tiny fish who move ceaselessly through the water as if to demonstrate just how vitally alive they are. This is a view of the lounge in UPEI’s Atlantic Veterinary College – not a place I frequented as a student of the Arts. That is, until I became involved in Volume XII of the UPEI Arts Review. Throughout the past year, I have found myself in this space, surrounded by animal life, while working on a project devoted to the arts. It seems only fitting, then, that the title of this volume should relate to the influence of that space. The following collection of work represents a progression outward from the safety of home into some of the struggles of larger society, only to eventually return inward in contemplation of the things that mean the most to us. It aims to demonstrate that the arts are just as vital to life as are the sciences. The pieces in this collection reflect the human need for communication, storytelling, self-expression, and community.

The chapters in this collection outline a journey from home into the unknown, and back again. This progression mirrors certain stages in the lives of both humans and wildlife. Our first chapter, “Habitat,” offers a selection of poetry which delves into a creative engagement with our natural surroundings. Drawing inspiration from the environments in which we live, this chapter cultivates a sense of safety and belonging that we associate with the idea of home. Be it in calm or in chaos, our habitat is our comfort zone.

Our second chapter is marked by a departure from that familiar place and a foray into the outside world, where we encounter adversity. The writing in this chapter addresses themes of social justice and gender-based violence. The title, “Migration,” references the long and arduous journeys made by many species in search of warmer climates. The length of such voyages calls to mind the ongoing journey of advocacy and activism that remains necessary in efforts to secure the rights and safety of marginalized groups in our society.

Our final chapter, “Hibernation,” marks a return to the self. After journeying through the unknown and gaining the knowledge that comes from exploration, we now turn back to the inner world. “Hibernation” offers us the opportunity for quiet introspection and solitude. The pieces in this chapter deal primarily with topics of mental health and self-discovery, and demonstrate that by strengthening our understanding of ourselves, we can strengthen our relationships to others and thereby strengthen our community.

There is so much diversity encompassed in the divisions of taxonomy that fall beneath the category of the phylum, and yet each of those groups share something in common by belonging to the same phylum. I apply this concept to the way I think about the arts. There are a myriad of subcategories, from poetry and painting to sculpting and songwriting. Despite their differences, each of these unique forms of expression share that uniting quality of being creative works of art. Here in the UPEI Arts Review, we try to highlight a few of those creative mediums in a collection of student work. When I think of phylum, then, I also think of the group of people who made this project possible. I think of the team of dedicated editors, mentors, and the community of student writers and artists here on campus. I think of how our contributions differ, and yet we are all, each of us, a valuable piece of this project. The Arts Review is a result of the collective efforts of our own community, our own Phylum.

Austen Hastelow Clayton

Editor-in-Chief