Unique Gravestone in Bracebridge, Muskoka © 2009 Michelle Basic Hendry
Today marks the beginning of the dark season. The veil between life and death is at its thinnest. Everything seems to be moving into that period of stasis, growing season is over, the harvest is in and life appears to recede into the darkness and the darkness envelopes it.
As the season moves on, I think of it as a time for reflection, and for many early cultures, it was the time for storytelling and sharing a culture’s past. I have come across some very interesting thoughts on the significance of words and art – how they work together and how they compete in terms of defining culture. On his blog, Clint Watson discussed the importance of stories to the context of an artist and their work and how it might help sales (see article here). On Arti’s Blog “Ripple Effects“, the idea of the Visual replacing the Word is explored in terms of how literacy is not just the written word, but also the recognition of visual symbols. (Arti also looks at how the movies model scenes after great art to achieve a deeper meaning.)
Unique Gravestone – Detail © 2009 Michelle Basic Hendry
Now that several days have passed and I have had an opportunity to reflect on the McMichael show, certain conversations I had on opening night are returning to my mind. One such conversation was with a friend and very talented stained glass artist, Evelyn Wolff. Evelyn participated in the exhibition I curated in stained glass in 2004. (See her work here)
Evelyn asked me about the spiritual nature of my work. To look at my paintings of old homesteads and intense skies, one might not see it as spiritual in nature in the same way the use of traditional cultural symbols might convey. I am driven by something deep inside of me to portray these empty places. To some, the feeling is immediate and the painting may not tell my story or even the story of the place itself; it often tells them some of their own story. These places reach into me and demand of me to recognize what is important and that all of it is ephemeral. The loneliness and existential questions of a Hopper (Arti’s term was existential loneliness) or Hammershøi painting reach across time because even though they may be paintings of old places and people that no longer exist – or may have never existed, they reflect something of the human condition. They are Allegory.
“Window Seat” is moment in time, frozen, as if the owner of the chair just left for a second. The space, the air remains still and time expands like a meditation. The moment. Nothing else exists. What came before and what will follow do not matter. I wonder if that would answer her question?
“Window Seat”, 14×18, acrylic © 2009 Michelle Basic Hendry
The story of the house is beneath the painting in the link above. The story of my discovery of the house goes back years but I only had the courage to enter it last Spring and that story is here. What’s your story?
I thought I would include some of the music I was listening to when I was inspired to write this post:
- Sleepless, Marnconi Union
- Chill, Jazz Fiction
- Simple Song, Lyle Lovett
- Deep Peace, Stephen Halpern
My story’s way too annoying & sad, trust me. Your stories are far more interesting. 🙂
Incredible work! I take photos, since I cannot paint!
Thoughtful post, too!
Thanks Jenn!
Lana – Looking at your incredible work and the stories of your trips to the parks, I can’t imagine where you would get that idea. Not every story has to be told exactly in the same way it happened. That’s what metaphor is for! And you do it brilliantly!
there is a grave marker in Normandale that looks like that. not a perfect copy but same kind of design. didn’t think I would see another one like it 🙂
not sure if it would answer her question but I think it comes really close.
my story is…complicated lol
“Window Seat” reminds me of a photograph I took of Liz, many years ago in the 60’s…..I’m going to put it in “Borderlines” with a link to this post….why? Because you have made me want to.
love
henry
This is a very nice blog… I can see that you put a lot of heart on your posts, that’s why I’m sure I’d visit here more often. Anyway, if you have time, you can visit my blog as well!
Great post as well as the ones I have miss because I was away. Excellent work. thank you for sharing with us.
Fantastic show Michelle!
I have enjoyed watching your work evolve over the last two years and I am proud of you.
Lovely pictures and fantastic prose. Will definitely come back.
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