“The end of art is peace.”
Seamus Heaney
Towards the end of a difficult week in world matters and in some folks' lives, it was hard to choose a quote about art, but this one is salve for my soul...
I know that not all art produces peace as sometimes its goal is to disrupt, to stir, to agitate, to say out loud awful truths that cannot otherwise be spoken, to shame and to shock us into action.
But a lot of the art that attracts me, that I enjoy, and that I seek out is peaceful. Is quiet. Stirs something within me. Settles me. Allows me to believe in beauty and wonder and hope for the future.
And perhaps even at the end of that disruptive art and challenging art lies peace. If as a result of its message, action is taken to redress social wrongs, then perhaps it too can lead to peace over time.
I would love to think that art is a way toward peace. That at the end of art lies peace.
As I think about my own work; much of it seeks to remind of us quiet and solitude and peace; and yet some also wants to draw attention to social issues. My hope for that work is that we can resolve those issues and create a better world.
I doubt world peace will appear out of a single artists' book I make, but it helps to think that collectively we are making art that carries peace and hope within it.
Seamus Heaney
Towards the end of a difficult week in world matters and in some folks' lives, it was hard to choose a quote about art, but this one is salve for my soul...
I know that not all art produces peace as sometimes its goal is to disrupt, to stir, to agitate, to say out loud awful truths that cannot otherwise be spoken, to shame and to shock us into action.
But a lot of the art that attracts me, that I enjoy, and that I seek out is peaceful. Is quiet. Stirs something within me. Settles me. Allows me to believe in beauty and wonder and hope for the future.
And perhaps even at the end of that disruptive art and challenging art lies peace. If as a result of its message, action is taken to redress social wrongs, then perhaps it too can lead to peace over time.
I would love to think that art is a way toward peace. That at the end of art lies peace.
As I think about my own work; much of it seeks to remind of us quiet and solitude and peace; and yet some also wants to draw attention to social issues. My hope for that work is that we can resolve those issues and create a better world.
I doubt world peace will appear out of a single artists' book I make, but it helps to think that collectively we are making art that carries peace and hope within it.
Beautiful. Exactly right.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cally - it was a heartfelt pondering this week! Go well.
DeleteBeautiful words Fiona. Perfectly reflect how I feel about the world and the role artists and art play in it. Your work definitely stirs, as well as calms. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Lotta - so lovely to hear from you! I think I will hold these words close for quite some time; they help and they heal. Go well.
DeletePerfectly expressed in words and imagery ... this touched me deep inside. And brought a song gently whispering "When will we ever learn ... "
ReplyDeleteAh Liz - those lyrics...thank you for your kind words as well. It helped me realise that even ugly art might lead us to peace in a small way and that really helped; and I hope and I hope that the end of art is peace...go well.
DeleteAbsolutely lovely. I, too, have made many pieces of art about peace. Yours touches my soul. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Candy - it feels good to discover so many with peace in their hearts and in their making...go well.
DeleteWell said Fiona!
ReplyDeleteThanks J - I think I needed that pondering this week. Sometimes the words find you when you need them...
Deletei like that sentiment - often it seems that the art that is highly valued (by the art critics) is confrontational etc, asking us to question, and as you say to stir and agitate. I also like art that soothes and brings peace within the soul.Love your poppies here
ReplyDeleteThank you. I am not a fan of ugly art or angry art generally speaking; but after pondering these words, I have hope that it may have a place on the path to peace. I will still always choose peaceful and calming art for myself I think...go well.
Deleteany action that we can personally undertake to bring about peace - for ourselves or for the world - is never a waste.... art can be a powerful conduit, even if only in the pursuit of inner peace...
ReplyDeleteLove it Ronnie. And the notion of art creating inner peaces is so helpful and so powerful! Peace begins in small ways with peace within us, then we move outwards...take care.
DeleteBrava Fiona. Succinct and thoughtful as always. Well said.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lesley - sometimes I need my own ponderings more than anything else! This week's quote was so helpful and such a balm; it left me with hope...
Deleteyour work holds such a sense of deep inner peace Fiona
ReplyDeleteThat is so beautiful Mo - thank you.
DeleteThink of all the people your work has touched & inspired...it has certainly gone a long way toward creating a path toward peace.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of art & peace, I've been wanting to let you know that peace leaves with your words (more "love" & "shine") now hang from the olive tree at Florence's rose garden. I haven't had a chance to upload photos from the latest leaf-hanging session but will post or send you one when I do... Thank you again for gifting the words!
Thank you so much Lisa - I'm thrilled that love and shine are now on 'your' olive tree! What a beautiful addition to an already beautiful garden. Each of us can do small things that lighten each others's days I think...go well.
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