It can sometimes seem frivolous to have artistic goals, to be involved in the creation of things. More objects, more accumulation. Piles of sketches. A sewer of ruffles. A squirter of sugar filigree. There’s an arrogance to it. It is a conceit (definition ‘an artistic effect or device’). I mean who cares?
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blombo.jpg
I came back to an art practice through drawing. And this art form is a primeval conceit. Evidence has been unearthed showing human drawings aged 75,000 to 100,000 years old (a geometric pattern scored into stone) and cave drawings of humans and animals dated around 50,000 years old.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SantaCruz-CuevaManos-P2210651b.jpg
As well as drawing with charcoal and pigments, people blew a spray onto their hands to create stencilled outlines. The drawings are so elegant and beautiful. If you have ever attempted to draw, you will understand the purpose and accomplishment in these primeval silhouettes of running animals and spear wielding figures.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lascaux_painting.jpg
When I read these stories in red ochre and burnt wood on cave wall, I feel released from any burden of justification. It is part of my nature to create these drawings. I am just a new imprint of an earlier version which will repeat and evolve as long as people are born and perhaps afterwards.
Post 7 of 365
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2 comments
Thanks Carol 😃 Yes, they are utterly beautiful. I was surprised how much I felt, writing this and I realised how important these are.
Loved the comments re cave paintings – I have seen some in France and was wobbly at the knees – they were so beautiful and I felt overwhelmed that those people were inspired to draw their feelings and plans for the hunt – a life dependant on those creatures drawn with passion!