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.

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.

An inspirational multi-media New Zealand artist.

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.

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.

In this time of war and disaster and immense tragedy,
let us remember to love and to recognise LOVE.