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JulieSwanSculpture — 'Fool' 1
Published: 2011-08-02 06:38:42 +0000 UTC; Views: 4843; Favourites: 86; Downloads: 59
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Description
In this work I have used the imagery of the Jester or Fool to explore an area of living that I think is the most challenging aspect of what it is to live the life of an artist.How often do we as artists try to capture an inspired idea?……we jump in…..we commit….we try to re-create the original ‘spark’……we apply our skills…..we consider the public….we think……we think….we stand back and judge……we lose our way…..we then feel a sense of sadness ….we have failed to capture the original vision.
More often than not we then accept the work ‘with a laugh’ but somehow we feel defeated.
We did not quite get there.
Age or ill health catches up with us ……and the artist knows that more time will be needed….but the body or our chosen field has let us down…… and instinctively we know that we will not get there……
If only we could recognize our inherent ‘flawed humanity’.
When we ‘fall from pure infinite potential’ into commitment, 'because creation is commitment, whether in writing or a painting or a piece of music, it is our commitment to a particular action that is the voluntary limiting of ourselves'….but still we keep trying and you’ve ‘gotta love that!’
In this work the 'Fool' sits in submission, reflecting on the world and what he has learned. His hands are caught under his legs,. Open and ready for the next project, the next opportunity to commit.
Now drying at green-ware stage.
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Comments: 36
Oh, I really love this concept. The thinking fool. 
Contemplating on how humanity is flawed.
I bow to your art. To me it looks perfect, even if I know, that you are not completely satified.
By the way: Instant 
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Thank you so much 'mondspeer' for leaving such a nice comment....and please accept my sincere apologies for taking such a long time to reply.
Understanding and acceptance of our 'flawed' state is indeed a very interesting challenge.
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You are welcome and what is time, anyway.
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Thank you for your appreciative comment!
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some how i feel sad by viewing this magnificent work and also reading your thoughts underneath.. but thats the idea i guess. bravo.
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Thank you for your comment aaryankhakan. Would you agree that the artist in us always tries to capture 'the something ' we see in our imagination, but so often we have to accept our limitations graciously ...and this is sad but also really beautifully poignant too.
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yes i agree, our sight is limited but can be enhanced.
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Congratulations your amazing work has been selected for this weeks Featured Gallery [link]
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Thank you aragraphic...I enjoyed visiting your gallery of works.
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Thank you DeefaultLine for taking the time to look carefully!
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absolutely stunning work! congratulations!
great mastery!
stay well!
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Thank you so much!
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blow my mind... the struggle to match an idea and a reality is the centre of the artistic life... although up there with it is the struggle to actually find something to say that is worthy of the energy and time needed to say it... this is just a gorgeous expression of your skill and time most worthy...
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I agree and I think that's the journey that keeps us going......and that unless there is something to really say there's not much point.
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I love your description here, it captures a feeling I have had many times. It reminds me of Leonard Cohen talking about launching into a masterpiece only to lose your grip somewhere along the way, slip and "then you fall into the real masterpiece". I have to say though that I am never able to accept a work with a laugh. I'll paint over a canvas as long as it takes to find that state; the state of a work being what it needed to be all along, where there is never a doubt left, and I'll take that feeling happily to the grave. Otherwise, what is the point? I strongly feel you should never compromise on that, especially for a dollar. Having said that, I deeply admire what you do, and I thank you for sharing your visions with the world. The world is a more beautiful place because of it.
Ash
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It's a bit disconcerting seeing the Fool in contemplation. He's normally such an extrovert. Yours may be in no-mind mode, he could be humbly amused or he might be in pain. If the latter, maybe pointing out our flaws isn't as enjoyable as he makes us believe.
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Ah! If only it was easy to be in the 'no-mind' mode.....and that is the problem as I see it.
I began this work by reflecting on 'The Fool' in the Tarot. I had not explored these cards before but now find the imagery to be particularly inspiring. I do not interpret the images as being tools for divination but the images are wonderful and useful as starting points for reflection upon the 'human condition'.
Although the fool is a joker, it is suggested the term is very complex. It refers to the state of the difference between ultimate creation and human creation. The 'Fool' is at the edge of a precipice, at the edge of realization.
It makes me think of the way we as human-beings are driven by a desire to create, build and essentially interfere. We want control and we often put aside any concern for the consequences of our actions. For example our impact on weather and the resulting global warming and even our reliance on perhaps a 'trick' being discovered that might help us out in future? Hence the 'Fool'.
In this work the mask is off and he contemplates his life....and I agree with you Jay, all of the emotions you refer to must be being felt by him.
Another of my reference points was Faust's exploration of 'selling the soul to the devil'....and the 'trick' of the technical point.
As an example I refer to a common situation experienced by many of us. A young artist I know painted wonderful male reclining nudes. He was inspired and 'flying'. An influential gallery wanted to take him on and push his career along. They said his works were great but he would have to paint the more popular female nude. He chose not to. He did not sell himself short. He did not 'laugh' and sell himself for money and fame. He did not want to be limited. I hope at the end of his career he will be content with this decision and will not miss the 'laughing gaggle'. I hope he will continue to practice.
I see the creations of the fool with the mask off in your work KwasiRa.
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The fool visits me constantly. I depend on the same 'tricks' again and again. By doing so, I remove much of my intention in the hope that something resembling pure creation will spontaneously occur. Since the raw ingredients are human creations themselves, it should prove to be a fruitless endeavor. And perhaps it is. But I live for the wonder that sometimes - not often, but sometimes - comes from such accidents. I think the fool does wonder well.
While in awe of your sculptures, I am also grateful for your observances. You make people think. That's what good teachers do.
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Thanks KwasiRa for your thoughtful comments.....I understand exactly what you are saying.
I have got to the stage with my work now, that I accept that they will never turn out as I would have originally wanted. I also know that I can often find inspiration again if I turn paintings upside down. When a sculpture loses it's way and it's on the edge of collapse or being cut up, I give it one last effort by risking all and distorting the shape. It's as if work needs to get to 'the edge of the cliff' and then you have 'fresh eyes' and they can begin living again without control.
The fool is an intriguing concept and I think you have harnessed this energy perfectly.
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All expectations are future regrets. Neither are worth dwelling on. It's all in the doing, in the here and now.
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Thank you Pmania. I'm glad it captured your 'photographer's eye'.
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Thanks Mario.
I think your sculptural works successfully reflect extreme emotion....and I imagine that is what you want.
They always 'take my breath away' with their impact.
How do you feel about them? .........and are you limited by constraints of size or medium ?
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I always try to show raw emotion,almost prehistoric.
I use mix-medium because life has more than one aspect if you know what I mean. I would love to sculpt larger sculptures but I don't have my studio so I have only one sculpture 7 feet tall.
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Thanks so much Barrie....and Good Luck with your exhibition. I hope the works and their display do your original vision justice.
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Thank you Julie! Barrie
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This is so spectacular on many levels! I love what you have to say about us as artists and the process we experience when we commit. I'm going through that right now as I near the completion of a very large figure titled "Perseverance"
"Fool" is a very powerful statement, well done!
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Thank you so much Lachaezee. I really appreciate your informed comment....and for recognizing what I refer to.
With regards to the practical aspect, I think that constructing 3D forms is in some ways more difficult than many other mediums....when trying to achieve your original 'vision'. It seems to me that we imagine, we commit and then because we need to be very aware of the physical considerations of the medium, we can 'come down' and essentially feel limited. I think this situation will always be a huge challenge for any artist to over come...both emotionally and practically. I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts about 'Perseverance'.....and Good Luck! I'll watch out with interest.
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My apologies again CausticOddity for not answering you sooner. This figure is 68cm high.
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