Cartoonists pithily make a comment through word and picture.
We are invited to pause and reflect.
Heartfelt Dolls |
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Many artists seek to reveal a truth about our humanity (or lack of it). Cartoonists pithily make a comment through word and picture. We are invited to pause and reflect.
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We all have stories. How do we share them? Do we listen to and honour the life stories we hear? How do we capture these stories to share with others? I have made dolls to honour the generations of women who prepare food to take to meetings and support cake stalls. I have made dolls to share my own story: my divorce, living with depression; experiencing workplace bullying; celebration and recovery. Called to become…
by Edwina Gateley You are called to become A perfect creation No one is called to become Who you are called to be. It does not matter How short or tall Or thick-set or slow You may be. It doesn’t matter Whether you sparkle with life Or are silent as a still pool, Whether you sing your song aloud Or weep in darkness. It does not matter Whether you feel loved and admired Or unloved and alone For you are called to become A perfect creation. No one’s shadow Should cloud your becoming. No one’s light Should dispel your sparkFor the Lord delights in you, Jealously looks upon you And encourages with gentle joy Every movement of the Spirit Within you. Unique and loved you stand, Beautiful or stunted in your growth But never without hope and life. For you are called to become A perfect creation. This becoming may be Gentle or harsh, Subtle or violent, But it never ceases, Never pauses or hesitates. Only is – Creative force – Calling you Calling you to become A perfect creation. I am passionate about making dolls. This art form gives me a voice and brings joy. I came to it through reading a book (now out of print) called 'Mother Plays With Dolls" by elinor peace bailey. This was an 'Aha' moment as I immediately identified with this art's practice. I then gave myself permission to 'play with dolls'. How do others find their passion? Potter Barry Brickell discovered the joys of clay and the potter's wheel when a teacher brought a wheel to school. He was hooked. Painter John Badcock followed in the footsteps of his painter father. Multi-media artist Judy Darragh grew up in a creative family which nurtured the creative spirit. How did you find your passion? How do we encourage others to find their passion? How do we mentor and empower those we meet? How do I communicate? There are as many ways as there are individuals. Consider hospitality and baking; gardening and conservation; poetry and drama; dance and gymnastics; facial expression and posture; pottery and sculpture; doll making and textile art; liturgy and ritual; lantern making and stilt-walking; a touch and a look; signs and symbols; words and silence; presence and absence ... What do we communicate? That we are individuals: unique; a gift; a reflection of a God, with innumerable stories and talents and treasures and wisdom to share. Let's make time to listen. YOUR GOD TOO
by Terri Ashton I praise your God too you sky-larking moon spotlighting back lighting down and up-lighting the local scene And you palm trees ground-pinned spell-struck high on wind Your God too air-light sand that melts within the hollows of our ticklish feet Our quivering bare-breezy evening toes And you pearl-tossed waves shimmering with stars rolling out the melody of inner time Cymbals swishing marking the return to home I praise your Beloved too I praise you our beach-combing love-making God Your paua cup of paradise is running full over I have a deep respect and profound gratitude for individuals who set aside their lives for the greater good. Just imagine the benefits for generations to come of a solitary man planting trees on a planet in ecological crisis. Recall how the actions of an Albanian nun restored our belief in the inherent dignity of every human being. Imagine the impact on impoverished communities when sight is restored through straight-forward eye surgery because of the vision and commitment of one man. We can't all harvest the fruits of our endeavour. But we can commit to sowing seeds which will grow a better life, a better world, for all. Let's begin: one action at a time. Today. We gain so much from engaging with the art of others. It is always a privilege to visit an exhibition; to connect with an artist(s) and their work. For me, it is like encountering another at soul level: a personal relationship; a profound experience; an opportunity for transformation. I have been a part of several exhibitions, and every time I have been humbled by the response: the engagement with the work; the time visitors gift to this encounter; and their desire to hear the story behind the art. Thank you. |
Liz PearceI am a doll-maker; a doll interpreter; a doll activist, perhaps, using this medium to reflect on the human condition. Archives
August 2020
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