Steel tales: Crafting the Unseen
This is my paint-by-numbers No. 6, 'Buddha' (부처님) Incomplete”
When this year started, I was on holiday in South Australia. Looking out over the vast view of Kangaroo Island across the ocean, I felt quite relaxed and, somehow, excited about what the new year would bring. I was reading The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin and remember feeling very hopeful, deeply connected to every single word.
As planned, I partially let go of my intense jewellery production and took some time off to explore and learn a few different things. I’ve painted more than six pieces, completed a stone setting course, and tried a couple of Dutch pour paintings. Participation in Roseanne Bartly'‘s writing workshop was such a golden experience for me. Even though I didn’t write much afterwords, I remained mindful, always wanting to express myself.
Even though I took a break and refreshed myself with new inspiration, I’ve recently felt the need for something to prevent my art from being distracted by the overwhelming list of external influences.
So I would like to start writing blogs again hopefully everyday about what I discover connecting to my art practice. One of Korean poets, Jang Suk-joo said he writes in order to live his life fully and authentically. He also said “Writing transcends this bitter and humiliating life, taking me to a world beyond. It transforms barren unhappiness and boredom into the joy of living. For that magical transformation, I continuously cling to writing. A life lived completely as myself”
At the moment, it is time for Radiant Pavilion. I’ve attended quite a few shows and openings. One of the most valuable experiences so far was meeting Maree Clarke, an amazing First Nations craft artisan, through the Current Obsession presentation. I had expected not to feel alone at these exhibition openings, but the reality was cold and humiliating. I was nervous, often alone with no one to talk to. Many times, I came home feeling even more isolated and sad. I felt a desperate need to write to fill that void. It will be difficult, but I know I must transform these painful thoughts into an organized communication with myself.
In “Civilization 1” Bernard Werber said
"For your own sake, writing is essential. Keep that in mind. The moment you write, your thoughts will become organized, a flow will develop, and you'll feel yourself becoming stronger. Writing clears out the weak parts of your mind and leaves only the solid ones, helping you realize your true strength. It will mature the misfortunes that befall you and reincarnate them into stories. Writing will help you leap further than any deep conversation or reflection could."
I am such an ordinary but extra ordinary person as long as I can make and write about it.
