Guest Blog: Creativity ~ The ART of Possibility
I met Kim though our children's school. Kim is an exceptional woman who is not afraid to challenge thinking, she also a gifted Reike healer and did a space clearing and blessing in my creative space when I moved to my studio on Malcom Road in Singapore. It was the beginning of one of the most creative periods of my life, starting with one painting of Raffles hotel, it grew to a series of 20 and the collection was exhibited at The Fullerton hotel and the prints hang in the French Embassy. The reiki blessing paid off ....
GUEST BLOG POST BY KIM PEARCE, CO-FOUNDER OF THE POSSIBILITY PROJECT
“He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye.” - Buddha
I first met Clare when we both lived in Singapore. I was immediately drawn to her sense of colour and magnetic personality - so it came as no surprise when I saw her paintings for the first time they brilliantly conveyed both traits! Our professional journeys may appear different on the surface, I have developed a social enterprise with slum communites in India and Clare is an artist, but if you truly examine our work there is a common force that unites us - we both have a tremendous respect for the creative spirit and the possibilities it presents in life.
I collaborate with a Jaipur based NGO called I-India, each working morning I greet these incredible people with the word ‘namaste’, it is the only spoken word we have in common and it loosely translates as a recognition that each of us is a divine spark capable of anything. Namaste moves us into ‘impartiality’ or non-judgment, the only space where peace is possible. It requires us to gently look inwards. I feel Clare’s Scarlet Buddha Painting so beautifully encapsulates the essence of what it takes to live peacefully, we must embrace a paradox of moving within to fully experience the outside world. The lotus magnifies this paradox so intently!
The word ‘art‘ has its origins in the word ‘to join’, without any need to analyse this we have seen the healing benefits of providing artistic outlets for our slum communities. And without any relative judgement - art plays the same role in our homes. I feel that this serene Buddha serves the much needed ‘alter’ that so many of us in the west should bow to - and in doing so we may just recognize our true selves - we are sparks of creativity capable of anything.
ABOUT KIM & THE POSSIBILITY PROJECT
Kim Pearce is the co-founder of The Possibility Project, a Sydney based social enterprise that nurtures social justice through the principles of contribution, collaboration and community.She is the mother of four beautiful children, a teacher, meditator, public speaker and change-maker. She has created a product label called slumwear108. She wants you to know that these are things that she does, they are not who she is - which is simply a creative!
For more information on The Possibility Project visit http://thepossibilityproject.com.au
JOIN US TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
In celebration of International Women's Day, 8th March 2016, the Clare Haxby Studio will be hosting a relaxed and informal morning of inspiration, art and fashion with social entrepreneur Kim Pearce speaking on 'The Art Of Possibility'. Kim will have a selection of slumwear108 products available with all proceeds supporting their Sparrow Sanitation project. Space is limited to 30 people, so please RSVP to laura@clarehaxby.com.