I found an old letter from my Great Aunt Marg (award-winning poet, Margaret Avison) referring to some of my early teenage attempts at writing that my grandmother had shared with her. What she said she loved most about my younger, kid-like writing was the fact that it was “unselfconscious”.
I believe for art (any art form) to resonate, it must be honest. It must be true.
But often what is true for us is scary to share, reveal, and open up to the world.
So we tone it down. Dial it up. Change it to fit what we think will be acceptable.
And in so doing, the art is lost. The truth desecrated.
So this year, what would you say. Film. Draw. Write. Photograph. Or build.
What would you create if you were blissfully unaware anyone was looking?
And here’s the tricky part. Then you gotta share it.
For art to resonate – it must be unselfconscious.
Fear is a strong force. But here’s hoping the artist in you is stronger.
