By general consent 2016 was not a good year and I’m not going to mention many of the grim world issues or celebrity deaths or trivia that have preoccupied the media, social included, during the last twelve months. Suffice it to say that the words “peace”, “hope”, “equality”, “justice”, “freedom”, “humility”, “love”, “compassion”, “truth”, “integrity”, and “forgiveness” rarely appeared in major news item we saw, heard, or read in every form of media. We seem to live in a world obsessed by greed, materialism and violence which is epitomised in the behaviour of most politicians, multinational tycoons and far too many other prominent people – and those who report their actions. I loathe the ever increasing gap between rich and poor throughout the planet and the never ending suffering endured by so many. My protests have been registered a few times in my life and occasionally in my work. During the holiday period I selected a few of my efforts which simply demonstrate that human behaviour never changes and is alluded to in the third painting which makes reference in the background to Goya’s “Disasters of War” series 200 years ago. Here are three examples of some atrocities of the recent past:-
Theresienstadt and Auschwitz
Vietnam and Racial Equality (We shall Overcome)with Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Martin Luther King
Genocide and Starvation (Where is the Love?) in Somalia
I detest violence and cruelty in any form and today there are few places in the world not affected by some kind of humanitarian crisis and in even in our own country the state of the National Health service is currently being described by some in these terms!
In all this doom and gloom I am so happy to see a ray of light and so many signs of individuals who are concerned about the state of our society by doing something about it. They will perhaps never be celebrities, Nobel prize winners, or honoured in some form, but quietly and unobtrusively set an example to us all by the way they lead their lives on a day to day basis. I have many friends and close relatives who are good, sensitive, caring people and do their utmost to make life better for others but are powerless and frustrated by the grand scale of the global problems. I’ve often wondered whether art and music can bring about change or influence world leaders. I suppose that in the 20th century Picasso’s Guernica was on of the most iconic examples of thought provoking and provocative anti-war works and has had some influence at least on those interested in such matters.
The large scale masterpiece was completed in 1937 after the Spanish city of Guernica was bombarded by the Nazis in the Spanish Civil War and is a constant reminder of the tragedies of war.
As I said earlier, I have already seen examples of how kind, thoughtful ordinary people can be which, in a small way, can make this world a better place. One such example is a young friend, Amber Anderson, who is now establishing herself as a very successful illustrator, and decided by using her talents, to raise money for Cancer research during the holiday season. This is being achieved by seeking donations from friends and relatives who are colouring in a Christmas card that she has designed. The idea has had a tremendous response from a large number of people and here is what she came up with and my attempt at colouring it in.
I have also resolved to put virtually all the money I receive from sales of paintings to causes which I believe desperately require more funding. It won’t be much because I’m not high profile or successful but I’m determined to make a difference somehow and think about the people around me who are lonely, ill or suffering in some other way! I’m also concerned about climate change and will do everything I can to support those who wish to save our planet and try to convince others who are in denial that untold damage is being caused by humans to the environment.
Antarctic Symphony Series – Climate Change Painting (Sold)
I’m aware that this has been a rather rambling and disjointed attempt at a blog but I’m feeling very positive and optimistic hoping that there will be a resurgence of decency and love envisaged by my generation in the 1960’s and 70’s. Let’s have a few more visionaries and dreamers shaping our destiny now!
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one
John Lennon (Imagine)