KARIN HART, PsyD
Any form of creativity, whether dance, painting, sculpture, music, writing, photography, or anything else reflects components of the unconscious. Whether unintentional or deliberate, we are giving expression to the hidden voice that lies within. Sometimes, the symbolism is obvious, and at other times it may not be. Either way, it becomes an outlet for the artist, so that there is a release of energy, a “freeing” up or a letting go of whatever lies inside. It can be either a subtle or direct expression of joy, gratitude, and hope, or even rage, sadness, or fear. Or perhaps all of the above. This is the reason why art becomes so therapeutic, whether the artist realizes it or not. It becomes yet another avenue toward self-discovery and self-realization, which hopefully is a continuous process until ones last breath is taken.
REBIRTH
(Oil on Canvas, 16” x 20”)
I started this piece a few weeks after the Woolsey Fire leveled 25% of the homes in our Malibou Lake neighborhood. Both our next door neighbors’ homes burned to the ground. While our home was surrounded by fire on three out of four sides, it burned right up to our front porch, but left our home intact with only smoke damage and a broken window or two. This work depicts the cycle of nature, from devastation, suffering, and trauma, to renewal, restoration, and new life. As our community began to rebuild, and as our blackened hillside eventually began to show fresh green shoots emerging from the earth, so this piece began to reflect the hope and joy of recovery from loss, and new growth to come. Perhaps it may also be symbolic of the state of other things that may be going on in our world this year in 2020. What do you think?