IN DARKNESS (CON’T)

give up on trying to sooth myself with my inner dialogue. What’s the point? Life is just hard and there’s no point in trying to change that.

I have found that giving myself time and space to grieve the life that I wish I had and mourn for the struggles past and present has been deeply healing. There comes a point where the intensity of a particular cycle of shadow work decreases but it I still enforce negative self talk to punish myself and sabotage my growth. Herein I realise that, at times, I feel undeserving of love and project that into how I relate to myself.

Just as the Yin-Yang symbol represents the harmonious existence of opposing forces, accepting both the light and the darkness within brings us into alignment with our true nature. It grants us the freedom to authentically express our emotions, pursue our passions, and forge deeper connections with others.

Throughout this pursuit of self acceptance, it’s crucial to remember that the journey is not linear. We will stumble, we will fall, and we will experience moments of doubt. Yet, it’s through these moments that we have the opportunity to cultivate resilience and growth. Every stumble becomes a stepping stone towards a profound understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

So I invite those who read this article to paint with every colour in the box. Be sure to make use of the dark end of the pallet and let it add depth to your painting. Let your intuition be your guide. And don’t be afraid to ask for help from the universe. Speak to your Yin and your Yang, embrace your shadow and love fearlessly.

• Andrei Boyd

I described myself and some of my people with charcoal in a series of portraits for a recent Gorey Scool of Art exhibition. Looking closely at the faces of others brought to the surface all sorts of feelings, mainly empathy and curiosity. And drawing myself, although it was emotionally taxing, became a healing inquiry into self-image that led to more self-acceptance.

The drawings are a record of the non verbal exchanges I had with myself and others as we sat opposite each other. Many of the drawings are quick studies, smudged and torn, sometimes distorted and stinking of hairspray where I ran out of fixative. I am grateful to my queer friends, who have taught me so much about our community, who were the inspiration for this project, and whose lives I endeavour to continue to celebrate in art.

By: SIVE Ó BOLGUIDHIR

Gearing you up for realities sake

An average day, I confess, no, digress

Unashamed, as adds to my test

The cryptic message new each day

How to survive, in what way?

Others travel this cobbled stone

Twisting ankles, they not alone

Running barefoot, hungry as hell

Millions with nowhere to dwell

Closer still, a passing looms

There I sit drowned by doom

How She’d love to have my health

As I dream of end with stealth

Juxtaposed, duplicity

Never ending serendipity

All in my life, designed by theoi

To illuminate my path, show me how

The lights too bright, I scream in protest

The dark I know, as I’ve processed

Each shadowy corner, to know it’s shape

I know the difference between heaven and hell’s gate

He says I’m hermetically sealed

This is true in many fields

The life I lead, is in my head

I simply want to live it instead

Contradiction, another asset

I have many I can profess

Holding the gems or profound skills

Means little, if unable to pay bills

White noise consumes me

Buzzing in my head

Giving a rhythm, to keep up this thread

Opportunity knocks galore, if only I can move to open that door!

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