Reaching

Reaching
Acrylic on Canvas 
90x120 cm 
2020

This painting was an endeavour of self-reflection and hopefulness in a partially successful attempt at asserting a disposition of sustainable peace. I’ve found a large and persistent struggle in the vast and increasing distance between the life I desire for myself and the active effort I put towards it, and the daily reality I actually experience. I know I’m in good company to say that 2020 had presented seemingly insurmountable challenges that have in many ways been overcome and others that remain persistent.

I was so blissfully unaware of the privilege I had to explore art fully and completely in the past years, and equally unaware of how grateful I was and am to have that.. This painting is a self-portrait of sorts, illustrating the forced transition 2020 had demanded, with my feet bound to a life full of redeeming qualities but with few moments of purpose and fulfilment, and my mind stuck in the clouds, the dream, the reality that used to rest underfoot. It’s a long and unwanted detour but that is the journey of life. 

I started this painting grieving the fact that my time was to be dedicated to a soul-defying corporation and completed the painting understanding all that I needed would be achieved, and each phase of life has it’s purpose.

I painted this the weekend before I started a new job at Facebook, I cried for a while about the fact that the pandemic ruined my art business, and I was forced to work for someone else's company again.. I lasted 2 years at the job, with my happiness dwindling at the start of each new task. I stayed because I kept getting promoted, and I broke my knee and the job had good health insurance. The day my doctor told me I no longer needed physiotherapy, I decided I was done at what had then become Meta. I have been back to art ever since and life is full of joy, satisfaction, and inspiration.