by Hannah Peacock, hive member and art organizer
Art by Hannah Peacock
The purpose of truly transcendent art is to express something you are not yet, but that you can become.
—Ken Wilber, The Mission of Art by Alex Grey
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I miss people. During this time, I have come to realize that the joint sparks of understandings and connection is the reason I’m an artist.
While this new reality is oh so strange, it does give us time to navigate the world in different ways. Lately, I have been taking a poem written by another and creating a visual representation. I dream of a chain of poetry and art continuing as different perspectives filter the meaning. But that is for a future time. Today, I would like to extend an invitation to you to join in the making of art together.
I have always believed most anyone can make art. There is a creative energy that is available to us all. It is for this reason that we have decided to switch the model of art on the walls at The Hive to group shows centered around a theme. It’s through the sharing of perspectives that we can join a bridge of understanding. Of ourselves and each other.
The first show is Coming home: to self, purpose, or place. When preparing for this show many moons ago I had this block of poplar that just wouldn’t leave me alone. It would climb in my thoughts forcing me to pay attention to it. This is the creative energy, I speak of. I have never carved wood, but it craved to be carved.
I have been a caregiver to a 98 year old woman with whom I have formed a friendship through the years, and I shared my art with her. She looked me straight in the eyes and said, “This isn’t your best work, but it’s your first, and because of that it’s pretty great. But really it’s not that great.”
At first I was taken aback for I had given this block of wood so much of my time and energy. And then I leaned into her message and laughed with delight. Of course it’s not my best, how could it be? I’ve never done anything like it before. That doesn’t mean I can’t love and be proud of what I’ve made.
Originally, I saw in the poplar a woman holding a child and thought- Mary and Jesus? As I worked she developed in ways I couldn’t have imagined. She isn’t Mary (or only Mary), but each of us. Whether you are the mother or the child, whether she is our ancestor or future offspring, we can all find a space in her wooden cells. I also put 9 houses at the bottom of her skirt. It takes a village, and there are 9 points on the enneagram circle as we have them all within and around us.
And so I ask you to join. Below are the themes for the year and some directions you could take it. They are all open to interpretation. We are open to visual art (wall hanging or free standing), poetry, music, and performance art. What in your environment is tugging at your attention to be made new again?
Throw perfection and experience out the window and create.
I ask you to trust yourself, the world around, and the energy of art. Let’s make something magical together, while apart.
Upcoming Shows with show name, Hive domain it is connected to, and some directions you could go.
If anything above spoke to you, I want to hear from you! While what is provocative is a personal opinion, due to the healing work the Hive does, we are not accepting nudity or vulgar themes.
We thank you for all you have done and given. If you so desire, we would love to weave your art into this story we all share. Please send any questions and interest inquiries to Hannah Peacock at findingpeacock@gmail.com.