Uncertain Times
- finavon9
- Apr 6
- 4 min read
It is said that there is an old Chinese curse, “May you live in interesting times” except, I believe this is not strictly true. The closest phrase - which appears in Stories to Awaken the World (an anti-war collection of short stories) is, “it’s better to be a dog in a peaceful time than be a man in a chaotic period”. Regardless, peaceful, chaotic or interesting, the beginning of 2025 has certainly brought more than its fair share of, unfortunately generally negative, events.
We started the year with war in the Ukraine and in Gaza continuing to fill the streets with blood and Trump and his team siding with the aggressor, Russia over the sovereign nation being invaded. Questions were being raised about the longevity of NATO and the drums began to beat in Europe with plans to increase spending on weapons of war. I particularly took note of the former Head of MI6 (James Bond’s outfit) saying that people in the UK must realise that the threat from Russia - and its closeness to the US - is real, adding: “Putin and Trump together have done their best to persuade us that the rules have changed”.
In January, David and I sailed on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth from Sydney to Hobart where David was attending a book signing at the historic Female Factory. His two-volume series, the Helots’ Tale includes a description of the arrival of my great, great, great grandmother, Mary Ann Goulding at the Factory when she was transported from London, England in 1834. The gift shop had ordered copies of his books and asked him to speak and sign their copies. It was quite moving to walk in Mary Ann’s footsteps and it was a little terrifying to be asked to speak on the local radio station afterwards! However, Mary Ann was a fighter and I guess I am, too – I survived!
Then, last month we were attacked by a ‘once in a century’ tropical cyclone that ripped through the Gold Coast. We boarded up our windows, moved anything movable to sheltered locations, stocked up on food and water in case of disruptions to infrastructure and crossed our fingers.
The rain lashed down and down and down, our lake rose several metres and swamped our deck and part of our garden, the wind howled and screamed and tore at everything, damaging a ‘sail’ that provides shade to a parked car, ripping a canopy away and breaking branches off trees. However, we got off lightly compared to some.
We have watched the USA slide step by step towards an autocracy, turning on its allies of decades, including Australia, deconstructing long-established principles like free speech, due process and what the French describe well – Liberté, égalité, fraternité.
And, in the last few days, an economic cyclone; the dismantling of economic hope with arbitrary USA tariffs that will certainly lead to a global trade war, China leading the way with its 34% tariffs on US goods. The American consumer will suffer, no doubt but the rest of the world will not be unscathed and the poorest will suffer most. Distressing.
When shipping my dolls to the USA, I have used the Customs code for an original work of art: 9703 90 00. This allowed my dolls to go to my collectors in the USA free of customs duty. It’s unclear whether Trump’s tariffs will change this and the volatile situation is having a chilling effect on the market for original artworks according to Artsy’s Art Market Editor, Arun Kakar. Some commentators are even suggesting that collectors take evasive action – “some experts advise purchasing artworks that can be shipped later in cases where costs reach a prohibitive level. “If you see an artwork in any given exhibition throughout this tariff situation, you can always purchase the artwork and have your gallerist store it safely for the time being, and export later”. (https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-art-collectors-trumps-tariffs)
Interesting times indeed.
But still, I have my studio and creation continues regardless!
On the 1st January, I received an email from Anne in the USA, “I must tell you that when I first got Anne Boleyn, I checked her to make sure everything was ok, and then I put her away for Christmas. Was delighted thoroughly when I opened her again on Christmas! She is honestly more stunning every time I look at her. Just fabulous, and each time, I find something new…”. It’s very gratifying to know that people around the world share the same feelings I have about my dolls!
Last month I finished and shipped Phillipa of Hainault. She was beautiful. I was stymied for a little while because I ran out of the fabric I needed to finish the overdress. Search as I might, no luck until eventually perseverance paid off. I was pleased and relieved to finally pack her up (I had to make a box because my supplier’s delivery was impacted by the cyclone). I waved a fond farewell as she disappeared into the international delivery system. Pleased to say, she arrived in good shape less than a couple of weeks later. Her new owner, Lucy, commented, “I received the doll! She is so gorgeous and the costuming is magnificent”. I agree, Lucy!!
I am now working on another Queen Elizabeth II in her coronation robes. I have the face and body completed; the next major job is embroidering her ‘gown of many nations’ or the ‘cloth of 10,000 stitches’ (she said smiling through gritted teeth). Half-way there. Can’t complain because, tucked up in my studio, listening to audio stories supplied by the local library, I’m as happy as the proverbial pig in mud.
Well, back to work. Easter will soon be upon us and I’m as busy as ever.
Take care in these uncertain times,
All the best
Victoria
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