- No 18, 16 July, 2010 -
EDITORIAL
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Dear Parents, teachers and friends,
"A pearl is created when an oyster or some other mollusc is irritated by
the invasion of a disturbing intruder into its closed shell. A grain of sand
may be slight, but not too slight to cause a pearl to form. Pearls are layers
and layers of soothing 'nacre' intended to insulate the delicate oyster
from the intruding irritant. At root, a pearl is a 'disturbance,' a beauty,
caused by something that wasn't supposed to be there – about which
something needs to be done. It is the interruption of equilibrium which
creates beauty. Beauty is the response to provocation, to intrusion."
'Sounds on Paper' – Julia Cameron.
Pondering this image, it occurred to me how much the Bridging Polarities Art process is like this — responding to pain or disturbance through creativity, in image, form, colour, gestural clay, dark/light, and narrative work. In this process, slowly, layer upon layer of soul substance is formed, awakening the Inner Artist. This call to awakening one's inner being begins in the creative process – in an environment of non-judgement.
Each session ends with putting up the work and allowing it to 'speak back' to one.
The children's responses to their work constantly amaze me, sometimes show wisdom beyond their years; and reflect some of this quality of inner awakening.
'My garden is the kind of place I'd like to go alone – a secret place – with a basket of fruit' Class 3.
'It's a flowing shape that carries on and repeats itself. I didn't think about it, but it looks like a shell or a teardrop falling.' Class 3
'My piece is colourful, active, different.' Class 6
'The energy in my work is fiery wild, angry, ablaze.' Class 6
As a facilitator in the child's journey, I will respond to what is awakened in our session with an exercise or image, form, colour combination, or challenge, that offers the child the opportunity to grow.
The children come to know the forces of light and dark, colour, concave and convex, crystalline and flowing forms. They learn to give expressions to feelings and qualities in colour – to listen to a piece of music, or taste a piece of fruit, and bring the experience to expression artistically . . .
The Bridging Polarities process is not applied to the child. The child applies it to himself, as he follows and carries out certain processes – bringing new order, improving and changing. He forms the too soft, softens the too hard, clarifies the too vague, and blurs the over clear. He learns to adapt himself to the materials he uses, accepts failures, makes decisions, and develops determination.
The 'I' of the child comes into its centre and gradually the 'Inner Artist' (that aspect which lives in all human beings) awakens, and with it a quietly strengthened sense of inner confidence.
This stimulation to inner awakening is the real transformative and synthesizing power of the Bridging Polarities Art work. Each child's journey inspires me to find new ways, techniques and exercises, in creating an individual therapeutic direction, according to the need.
It is my pleasure, and deep interest, to work with your children. Ilana Rudolph – Bridging Polarities through Art.