“So build yourself as beautiful as you want your world to be. Wrap yourself in light then give yourself away with your heart, your brush, your march, your art, your poetry, your play. And for every day you paint the war, take a week and paint the beauty, the color, the shape of the landscape you’re marching towards. Everyone knows what you’re against; show them what you’re for.”
Andrea Gibson, Evolution
As I ponder art this week, this quote seems to capture poignantly and beautifully how art is a response to the world; our statement; our voice and our message. And sometimes that may be political.
But always to remember that when we give ourselves to the darkness, when we portray it, draw attention to it and ask that people pay attention to it; that we should also follow this with the lightness. The lightness that reminds us of goodness and beauty; of care and of kindness.
I feel a bit this way at the moment - having focussed on the difficult issue of family violence for most of the year; it has been important to return to peace. To sharing peace, to making work of peace and to celebrating the kindness and care of others promoting peace.
In doing so I think I have been showing people what I am for; not just what I am against.
Andrea Gibson, Evolution
As I ponder art this week, this quote seems to capture poignantly and beautifully how art is a response to the world; our statement; our voice and our message. And sometimes that may be political.
But always to remember that when we give ourselves to the darkness, when we portray it, draw attention to it and ask that people pay attention to it; that we should also follow this with the lightness. The lightness that reminds us of goodness and beauty; of care and of kindness.
I feel a bit this way at the moment - having focussed on the difficult issue of family violence for most of the year; it has been important to return to peace. To sharing peace, to making work of peace and to celebrating the kindness and care of others promoting peace.
In doing so I think I have been showing people what I am for; not just what I am against.
I sent a few weathergrams south to friends, and this one was hung in a tree in Sydney in a busy pedestrian place by my dear friend Karen. I love this shot because it is one of the first times I have ever seen one of my weathergrams in an urban setting - and one where loads of folk will walk by it, and hopefully wonder a bit about it. Thank you Karen!
I especially like the double entendre of "Wrap yourself in light then give yourself away" ... to give yourself away by wearing your heart on your sleeve and to give yourself away by sending peace-full art out into the world. You do both with such grace.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a beautiful imagining Liz? I imagine a cloak of stars and light and then opening my arms and whoosh - out goes the light and the stars and away away away they travel...
Deletethank you for your words here....i will carry them with me....they are needed.
ReplyDeleteGrace - thank you. I hope the words travel with you and that you can go gently...
DeleteJohn Lennon's song "Imagine_ from all those years ago still gives such hope for our beautiful broken world, your weathergrams at my front and back door remind me
ReplyDeleteWhat an anthem Mo - so quiet and so true. Together we can imagine a better way I am sure, and in small ways, create one...
Deleteagreed!! x
ReplyDeleteThe idea of balance is so well put here.
ReplyDeleteI need reminding Dee - I know there is light and dark and yin and yang and all of those things; but I need to be reminded, and these words helped so much. Go well.
Deleteto give yourself away
ReplyDeleteshow them wath you're for
i have work to do
thank you for remind me
Ah Maria, it is a gentle reminder to us all I think - to show the positive, to maintain paths of light...I know I need reminding and it is good that we can share. Go well.
Delete