...from the middle
Online Exhibition & Reflection
by Starr Kolb
03.01.14
Welcome...
This is the first of what I hope to produce in a long series of online exhibitions
of my original art presented in combination with words that speak from my heart.
My choice of subject matter is something I believe
we all can relate to at one level or another.
I offer this online exhibition to you so that you might view it
from the comfort of your own space.
While your viewing of the exhibition will not take very much time,
I invite you to grant yourself some time for reflection as well,
as it is my hope that some or all of what you see and read
will touch you in a personal way.
So, before you start I would like to suggest that you get yourself
a Belgian beer, or a cup of tea and, either alone or with a friend,
sit down in front of your computer and simply
enjoy, reflect, or ponder on these images and words.
Poppies
... from the middle,
is a place that was discovered during the course
of a trip to Belgium with my husband Jon.
... from the middle,
is the place where intense feelings begin
and great things can be accomplished.
Bob Marley
While watching the Documentary Marley en-route to Belgium,
I realized the strength of emotion that comes from the middle.
Bob Marley was the son of a white father and black mother.
He was judged as being too white to be black and too black to be white.
... from the middle,
Marley found compassion for all regardless of their colour.
The Last Post
While en route to attend the Last Post Ceremony,
the traditional salute to the fallen warrior,
we drove through the Salient,
a great arc of defensive lines running from Boeslinghe in the north
to Ploegstreet in the south with the ancient city of Ypres in the middle.
It was an area where, unexpectedly,
World War I stalled for almost four years, claiming 185,000 lives.
... from the middle,
soldiers found courage to persevere for the benefit of others.
Yvonne Johnson
While on holiday in Belgium, I read a book called
Stolen Life: The Journey of a Cree Woman, by Yvonne Johnson
which was nominated for a Governor General’s Award.
Yvonne was born out of a loving union
between a white father and native mother.
Nevertheless, Yvonne described herself as dirty...
too red for the white and too white for the red.
Yvonne Johnson spent time in prison for a crime
she apparently did not commit.
She was granted full parole in 2010.
During her time in prison she shared her wisdom
with other first nation women.
... from the middle,
Yvonne learned that honesty always wins in the long run.
Middle Sisters
While thinking of those who have benefitted from the middle,
I started to make a list of others who also come from the middle...
That list included my sisters, my daughter, and many of my friends;
those to whom I often turn in times of great need.
... from the middle,
these siblings, children, friends naturally gained strength
which they, in turn, offer to others.
Energy
It can be both positive and negative and yet
its source comes from the middle.
... from the middle,
balance is inevitably achieved.
Prairie girl
She does not come from the Pacific,
nor does she come from the Atlantic.
She simply comes from the middle, the Prairies.
She comes in all shapes and sizes.
She can buck the wind.
She can handle the cold.
She sure can shine in the Prairie sun.
...from the middle,
she must demonstrate perseverance
to assume yet another task in order to support those around her.
Postscript
I have learned that it is not out of striving to be on top that we find our way
but rather, sometimes it is ... from the middle that we find a true sense of direction.
Compassion, courage, honesty, strength, balance and perseverance
are just a few great attributes that come from the middle.
I invite you to reflect upon your own middle places and spaces
that might also have brought great things to you and those you love and care about.
Thank you for taking some time to be with me in thought.
Please feel free to share the link.
...from the middle
by
Starr Kolb