The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.
–Bertrand Russell
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These handful of words from the great British thinker Bertrand Russell succinctly sums up the idea behind my current show at the Principle Gallery as well as that of my next West End Gallery show, Contact, which opens July 22. And that is that there is a world of wonder within our grasp if only we make the effort to recognize the patterns and forces of which they are comprised.
I have said before that we are part of a greater pattern. I believe that it can be found in two simple ways– either looking inward or looking outward. Since we are are formed from this pattern we can find parts of by examining our own inner world, our thoughts and dreams. Or we can examine the world immediately around us for the hints of the pattern that are everywhere if only we can identify them.
Unfortunately, in this busy modern world we too often find ourselves doing neither. We live in a sort of limbo where we are mesmerized by the glossy lure of technologies that occupy our every moment. It’s hard to look inward or outward when our eyes and thoughts are fixed on the screen in our hands.
Don’t get me wrong– I’m no technology-resisting Luddite. I embrace the wonders of this technology when it serves a real purpose, when it expands our knowledge and sends it to the far corners of the world. The possibilities for good things are seemingly endless.
But none of it matters if we lose contact with the greater powers and wonders that surround us every day, forces and patterns that patiently wait for us to unravel the magic that makes them invisible to us.
I know to some, this sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo. Maybe the idea of great forces and patterns surrounding us seems a bit loony to some. I get that. But set that aside, if you must, and simply consider the benefits of looking away from your smartphone or laptop for a short time each day to examine the inner and outer world outside of that screen. Maybe if we do this on a regular basis our wits will sharpen to the point that we will better see that world of magical things as Bertrand Russell pointed out.
The painting above is 11″ by 16″ on paper and is called Point of Contact. Part of the upcoming July show at the West End Gallery, I believe this piece very much mirrors the thoughts above.
Redtree Times 