This is so weird. Many times I tried to paint or draw on Sundays. Mostly to stay away from crowds and chaos one finds in towns and cities. However, the majority of the time, I either block or else I will simply draw crappy stuff.
I get entangled between anger, frustration, and empty spaces. I will be lost. It will be as if I am in the middle of a desert or outer space where one is surrounded completely with nothing. I stand there alone staring. I hear this psychedelic instrumental music in mind. I close my eyes and simply drift onto the unknown. Different colours will be all over without any formal shapes or forms. They are simply splashed around me. That is the place where I detached from reality.
A Manipulated World
Away from that part of the world that is dominated by greed and manipulative media. That world where it is OK to break the law, It is OK to suffocate minorities, it is OK to destroy forests, it is ok to kill animal species, it is OK for racial hatred.
Thankfully my art is my refuge. It keeps me away from this chaos. It is my gateway to freedom. It temporarily removes the chains that the System imposed on me as a grew along. Art provides me the purpose to unchain.
Purpose
I thought that this COVID-19 pandemic experience will wake up a new wave of hope for a more just world, for a greener planet, for cleaner oceans, less greed. However, the first signs do not look good. Seems like humanity wants to go back to what it knows best. Art should serve the purpose to awaken and support movements against this crazy way of life. Any form of art should embark and spark a new revolt. Creative artists must do their part. We cannot shy away anymore from what surrounds us.
I need to stop trying to paint or draw on Sundays. It must be my rest day. Will I manage? I do not know. I am not the type who gives up easily. I normally fight my demons. Will see how it evolves. For now, I am going to put on my headphones and listen to some inspiring music and drift away to another world where everything is still pure and uncontaminated.
Jose’ Micallef
Sunday 7th June 2020