Stunning artworks that I would love to see in person. They demand up-close inspection of the layers and materials used and standing back to appreciate the image as a whole and their scale.
I like Fujimura's quote about creativity and imagination. I, firmly believe, that the creative process is amongst the highest levels of thinking humans can do. Yet, schools unteach creativity. Children grow up with an enormous amount of untapped creativity, and at some point, that tap is turned off. It's not that the well is empty, it's because school teaches the opposite. Blend in, Conform, Standardized testing, Grading policies rooted in inequity and rarely allow for creative solutions to the prompt, etc., etc. Parents also embrace this by financially awarding report card grades, placing stress on their children by talking about college at a young age (as do schools!), how much money one makes is often viewed as a success in our culture (and yet, education costs so much and puts many on a path of lifetime debt!). And, of course, they compare themselves to others who they think are better rather than taking the time to explore their voice.
We are constantly told to conform and blend in. Don't explore - do it this way, not that way. Mimic the teacher, parent, mainstream society, and "learn."
As a high school art teacher, I am very aware of this and openly discuss it with my students. I want them to trust the process, take risks, explore, if something new happens - go with it and embrace mistakes along the way, and learn from them, don't make it for me or a grade - be honest with your art and make it for you! The process of exploration and creating not only teaches us the most, but it is always more important than the final product. Ultimately, most all receive the grade they deserve (and want). More importantly, tho - they explored being creative.
Robert Pirsig's 'Zen & The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' talks at length about this very topic. It's a book I read at 17, but I couldn't quite grasp its message. I re-read it in my 20s or 30s and understand it more. However, I re-read it last summer at 54 and found it inspirational and illuminating. Sure, it is dated, but Pirsig's overall message is spot-on.
Yes, I would love to see his artwork in person too. I like to work with mineral-based paints in my own artwork.
It's sad that we haven't evolved on the way we teach children and what we prioritize by now. These kinds of conversations were going on back when my kids were young, and yet there is still so little movement. Although I was pleased to learn that at the middle school where my granddaughter will be going next year, she excitedly told me that at the open house orientation they said every subject had to include some kind of learning activity that incorporated the arts, whether that was music or drama or painting . . . even in the hard-core subjects of science and math. What pleased me the most was how pleased she was about it. She is very creative, an avid reader, is writing a novel, loves to draw and sing and act.
Your students are lucky to have you as an art teacher. The most important skills children (everyone, actually) need to learn is creative and critical thinking, and how to think across the disciplines, to see the big picture and how things interconnect.
I too read Zen and the Art of MM years ago and it profoundly affected me. Another book that has almost become a bible to me, since I read it nearly every day, is Creativity and Taoism, A Study of Chinese Philosophy, Art, and Poetry by Chang Chung-yuan. I stumbled across it decades ago in a used book store and have gone through several copies. It never fails to inspire me.
I'm so glad you liked Fujimura's art. One of the things I love best about blogging is discovering and sharing with others the art and poetry that inspires me.
This art is stunning! I am reminded of that quote from Picasso about how every child is an artist. He noted that the problem was remaining an artist as we grow up. I suspect we (I) get too glazed over, too busy , to see with new eyes. And I love that idea of hearing "the roar that lies on the other side of silence". I once painted a series that I called my "Milky Way Gallery" - 16x20 acrylic pieces of each planet + Pluto + moon and sun. I got lost in those days of painting (I think it took me several months to work through them all) and definitely touched the other side of silence. Thank you for an inspiring piece.
You are so welcome, Gracie. That quote about silence really struck me too. I'd love to see your Milky Way paintings. I did one once with its reflection in water, Inspired by one of Peter Doig's paintings.
Stunning artworks that I would love to see in person. They demand up-close inspection of the layers and materials used and standing back to appreciate the image as a whole and their scale.
I like Fujimura's quote about creativity and imagination. I, firmly believe, that the creative process is amongst the highest levels of thinking humans can do. Yet, schools unteach creativity. Children grow up with an enormous amount of untapped creativity, and at some point, that tap is turned off. It's not that the well is empty, it's because school teaches the opposite. Blend in, Conform, Standardized testing, Grading policies rooted in inequity and rarely allow for creative solutions to the prompt, etc., etc. Parents also embrace this by financially awarding report card grades, placing stress on their children by talking about college at a young age (as do schools!), how much money one makes is often viewed as a success in our culture (and yet, education costs so much and puts many on a path of lifetime debt!). And, of course, they compare themselves to others who they think are better rather than taking the time to explore their voice.
We are constantly told to conform and blend in. Don't explore - do it this way, not that way. Mimic the teacher, parent, mainstream society, and "learn."
As a high school art teacher, I am very aware of this and openly discuss it with my students. I want them to trust the process, take risks, explore, if something new happens - go with it and embrace mistakes along the way, and learn from them, don't make it for me or a grade - be honest with your art and make it for you! The process of exploration and creating not only teaches us the most, but it is always more important than the final product. Ultimately, most all receive the grade they deserve (and want). More importantly, tho - they explored being creative.
Robert Pirsig's 'Zen & The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' talks at length about this very topic. It's a book I read at 17, but I couldn't quite grasp its message. I re-read it in my 20s or 30s and understand it more. However, I re-read it last summer at 54 and found it inspirational and illuminating. Sure, it is dated, but Pirsig's overall message is spot-on.
Thank you for introducing me to Makoto Fujimura.
Yes, I would love to see his artwork in person too. I like to work with mineral-based paints in my own artwork.
It's sad that we haven't evolved on the way we teach children and what we prioritize by now. These kinds of conversations were going on back when my kids were young, and yet there is still so little movement. Although I was pleased to learn that at the middle school where my granddaughter will be going next year, she excitedly told me that at the open house orientation they said every subject had to include some kind of learning activity that incorporated the arts, whether that was music or drama or painting . . . even in the hard-core subjects of science and math. What pleased me the most was how pleased she was about it. She is very creative, an avid reader, is writing a novel, loves to draw and sing and act.
Your students are lucky to have you as an art teacher. The most important skills children (everyone, actually) need to learn is creative and critical thinking, and how to think across the disciplines, to see the big picture and how things interconnect.
I too read Zen and the Art of MM years ago and it profoundly affected me. Another book that has almost become a bible to me, since I read it nearly every day, is Creativity and Taoism, A Study of Chinese Philosophy, Art, and Poetry by Chang Chung-yuan. I stumbled across it decades ago in a used book store and have gone through several copies. It never fails to inspire me.
I'm so glad you liked Fujimura's art. One of the things I love best about blogging is discovering and sharing with others the art and poetry that inspires me.
I just ordered a copy of Creativity & Taoism. With your recommendation and on the strength of its reviews, it looks like an essential read. Thank you!
From the way you write and the things you write about, I think you will really like it. Let me know once you get into it.
This art is stunning! I am reminded of that quote from Picasso about how every child is an artist. He noted that the problem was remaining an artist as we grow up. I suspect we (I) get too glazed over, too busy , to see with new eyes. And I love that idea of hearing "the roar that lies on the other side of silence". I once painted a series that I called my "Milky Way Gallery" - 16x20 acrylic pieces of each planet + Pluto + moon and sun. I got lost in those days of painting (I think it took me several months to work through them all) and definitely touched the other side of silence. Thank you for an inspiring piece.
You are so welcome, Gracie. That quote about silence really struck me too. I'd love to see your Milky Way paintings. I did one once with its reflection in water, Inspired by one of Peter Doig's paintings.