Welcome to Issue 2 of Collage. I am writing this just after returning from my son’s school Christmas Carol concert. It was a beautiful, if chilly evening, enhanced by some wonderful singing. At one point I had to bite my lip to stop a little tear. Which would probably amuse those who know me, as I’m an entrenched atheist. Yet the concert reminded me of something I already know about religion – the way in which it provides a touchstone for people, something more important than oneself to put the world and life into perspective. I wanted to make this Christmas issue of Collage about the Madonna as she is one of the most recognised and central female symbols associated with religion. I am aware of how important people’s religious beliefs can be. Yet the path towards faith (or no faith) is more complex than ever before. The freedom to choose is also the freedom to be confused and lost. Human rights clash with religious traditions. According to the new UK census 14 million people state they have no belief (with even the religion of ‘Jedi’ being on the decline!). As an atheist I was also interested in why women would want to become Bishops in the Church of England – my personal reaction would be to think there are more important things for women to worry about. However, on speaking to women with faith I have been touched by their sincerity and authenticity. I doubt my own atheism will be shaken but I have resolved to be more open minded about the space others give religion in their lives. Of course, we have only scratched the surface on this issue so please share your ideas and experiences with us on our blog. We had a fantastic response to Issue 1 and we are looking forward to continuing next year as a quarterly publication. We have already grown our merry band of contributors and if you have something you feel would like share with us here at Collage we would love to hear from you. Have a wonderful New Year, Alexandria Welch, Editor
A note on copyright
With thanks to all of our contributors. For further details please click below.
Everyone at Collage magazine is committed to artists retaining copyright over their own work. We have been careful to ensure that the images used in this publication have been purchased or provided to us by the creators with copyright permission, or are copyright free or are being used under the ‘fair usage’ protocol shared over the internet (images are low resolution, attributed to their creator, not for profit and used only to illustrate a relevant article or story). If, however, you feel your image has been used by us unfairly and your copyright breached, please contact us at magazinecollage@ymail.com and we will remove the image immediately.
Collage Issue 2 contributors
Cover image ‘Souffle (New Breath)’, detail by Audrey Walas, 2012 Overleaf Untitled by Justin Harris ‘The Cough’, by Alexandria Welch, 2011. 2
6
36
Madonna/Madonna.
This month we showcase work by Rosie Melville and Ruth Geldard, two artists who returned to study fine art after following other paths initially.
Editor Alexandria Welch explores the representation of the Madonna in art.
14
I will never be a mother Our new writer, Fred Wyver, considers whether it’s only gender that makes a mother.
16
40
Womb-an, Interrupted
54
Images of Evolution Sophia Alba reminds us of the importance of Charles Darwin’s wife, Emily.
The Pram in the Hall
58
Sandra Oxley explores the tension between creativity and motherhood.
28
My Religion, My Art Three artists discuss their religion and how it interacts with their art practice.
Sophia Alba questions how technology is changing what is natural when it comes to reproduction.
22
Showcases.
The Back Page Brace yourself— Leila Yusuf tells us why it’s not the end of the world.
Professor F.M. Era. In this issue, the Prof rages against 24 hour news channels, champions being a little bit Walter Mitty and investigates Chinese feminist art.
3
4
5
Collage Editor, Alexandria Welch, looks at the representation of the Madonna in art. If you Google the words ‘Madonna’ and
ideal that is ‘The Madonna’ has been
‘art’, you can guess what you get. A
re-invigorated by the power of celebrity.
million fanzine images, gossipy articles
In an age where atheism is increasingly
and academic ponderings about a certain
acceptable, there is still a Madonna
pop singer from Michigan. As much as
looming over us.
Ms. Ciccone shaped my early years, she
The representations of iconic figures in
isn’t the Madonna this magazine is
art, whether they are religious, cultural or
interested in. Yet 30 years after her first
political, are endlessly fascinating, not
single was released it would be
least because they reveal to us so much
impossible to consider The Madonna
about the attitudes of the time in which
without Madonna. The singer owes much
they were created. The first images of the
of her early notoriety and iconic status to
Madonna came late in development of
the name she shares with the Virgin
Christianity. As the first Christians were a
Mary. Would ‘Like a Virgin’ have had
persecuted sect they weren’t in a
anywhere near the same resonance if it
position to express themselves openly
had been sung by someone called
and so relied on symbols such as the fish
Rhianna? Would the juxtaposition of sex,
or the anchor. The art work we might
money and power have been as powerful
recognise today as ‘Christian’ began once
if ‘Material Girl’ had emanated from
the religion itself became embedded in
Cheryl Cole? The name Madonna is
the society that was the remnants of the
perfectly acceptable within the Italian
Roman Empire. Images of Christ and
Catholic community in which she grew up
Jonah were the first to become what we
(I was part of it too and used to hang out
would consider art and it isn’t until the
at the Diet Coke stand on the beach with
2nd century AD that we begin to find the
a guy called Jesus). To the world at large
Virgin Mary.
it seemed scandalous that such a holy
The earliest image we have of the Virgin
epithet could be attached to a writhing
Mary is from the Catacombs of Priscilla in
little saucepot with torn tights and too
Rome. Her female image, holding a baby
much eye make-up. Yet the power of the
on her lap, is believed to have been taken 6
Migrant Mother, Image 3, by Dorothea Lange. 1936 from that of the Egyptian goddess of
between Patriarch of Constantinople and
fertility, Isis. This has remained the
the Patriarch of Alexandria) it was agreed
idealised version of the Madonna that we
that Mary was indeed the Theotokos.
still accept as traditional today; a
This literally means ‘God bearer’ but is
nurturing mother, infant cradled on lap.
usually interpreted more loosely as the
From this point on there are an increasing
Mother of God. After this, images of her
number of images of the Virgin, usually
proliferate.
originating from the eastern, Byzantine
The images which developed over the
church. However, in 431 AD, at the
centuries have become defined as specific
Council of Ephesus (an ecumenical council
‘types’ of representation, each imbued
called to deal with disagreements
with its own codification and symbolism. 7
The life of Christ is broadly represented
a little fur (which was considered
through paintings of the Virgin from the
symbolic of lust) with a large serpent
Annunciation, Immaculate Conception
emerging from between her legs. Eve’s
and Nativity scenes through to Madonna
naked breasts offer sexual excitement.
and child images. These include
Those of the Virgin offer maternal
‘Adoration of the Child’ depictions and
sustenance. It is a powerful and unambig-
also the Madonna Lactans type, in which
uous representation of the problems the
the Virgin breastfeeds the infant. There is
Church, and men in general, have coming
also the Hodgeteria representation, in
to terms with women being the providers
which the Madonna raises her hand
of sexual pleasure and life from the same
towards the infant Christ, showing us the
orifice. Are we really surprised there still
way to salvation. Depicting the end of
aren’t women Bishops?
Christ’s life is the Pieta, the most famous
A second image of the Madonna to
of this last type is undoubtedly Michelan-
consider is Virgin and Child surrounded by
gelo’s sculpture in which the Virgin holds
Angels by Fouquet. Also known as The
the dead body of her son across her lap.
Red Virgin, this was painted around 50
Finally there is the Mater Dolorosa, the
years after the Olivuccio work and it
Sorrowful Virgin.
demonstrates how differently the
Considering these representations with an
Madonna was being represented in art,
eye to gender is, of course, rich pickings.
specifically how human she had become.
As with the Madonna/Madonna
The red of the background has begun to
dichotomy, it’s impossible to consider the
represent sexuality, rather than regal
Virgin without considering the whore.
holiness. Her bare breast points at a
Mary the Virgin and Mary Magdalene, the
disinterested infant and there is a distinct
prostitute, are the two women most
lack of warmth or tenderness between
closely associated with Christ’s life and
her and the child (compare this to da
the inference that woman can only be
Vinci’s Madonna Litta in which the pudgy
one or the other is still as relevant today
babe is wrapped cosily in the Virgin’s
as it was a millennium ago. One
arms). The model for this painting was
fascinating painting is The Madonna of
Agnes Sorel, mistress to Charles VII of
Humility with the Temptation of Eve,
France and the infant one of their
painted circa 1400 by Olivuccio of
illegitimate children. The title of this
Ciccarello (also known as Carlo da
painting may be seen to be one of those
Camerino). This depicts a prim,
PR stunts pulled to revise the popular
enthroned Virgin, fully covered in rich
opinion of unauthorised couplings. In
robes apart from one bare breast that is
allowing his mistress to be presented to
offered to the infant on her lap. At her
the world as the Virgin, the King had
feet lies a naked, lascivious Eve, draped in
bestowed upon her the authority he 8
The Annunciation, Rossetti, 1850
9
Above, earliest image of the Virgin from the tombs of Priscilla, 2C AD Opposite, Fouquet’s Virgin and Child Surrounded by Angels, 1450 10
Overleaf, photograph of a prisoner with elaborate tattoo of the Virgin Mary, a traditional tattoo found in Russian prisons. Pieta, by Michaelangelo, 1498-99 11
12
could not do by marriage.
of us can read, with a sophisticated
In terms of religion though, this painting
literacy, the proliferation of images
represents a huge change in attitude. The
which bombard us daily. We know it is
Christian Evangelist writer, Francis
often in the space between the image
Schaeffer, criticised it as embodying the
itself and the meaning we impose upon
‘loss of [Christian] meaning’ in art. He
it that the power is found.
drew a line from the early representa-
So finally we reach the photograph of
tions of Mary as a symbolic Theotokos,
Florence Owens Thompson nursing her
through to this, where a ‘whore’ is
child, which comes from a series of six
blatantly masquerading as the Virgin. It is
images taken by Dorothea Lange in 1936.
no co-incidence that this takes place in
Our understanding of her situation
the wake of the Reformation and the rise
(coming both from the clues of the
of the questioning voice of humanism. As
image itself and presumably from some
women looking at these depictions of the
historical knowledge of the Great
Virgin we may be more comfortable with
Depression) casts another layer of
Fouquet’s real woman; for Christians it
meaning on the traditional Madonna and
represents the fall of the holy to the
Child pose she is captured in. We see
human.
both the frailty and the strength of
It is important to remember that when
maternal spirit. We see a social history
these works were created, especially
and a critique of the political and
those specifically made for churches, they
economic ideologies of the 20th century.
would have been the most luxurious and
We see the joy, pain, love and hardship
beautiful things many people had ever
of life in one simple image. Is it co-
seen. There was no television or
incidental this image was captured by
magazines or million other images to
a woman? Although it was taken over
diminish their
seventy years ago, personally I
power. People
feel this photograph is the
believed them. Nowa-
Madonna of Our Time.
days, even the most visually disinterested
13
But don’t worry, I’m not ill. I’m just a man, writes Fred Wyver. I’ve been pondering what I will write here
conspicuously displayed through
for some time, and, my God, writing
consumption. I’ve bought my gender off
about women, and motherhood is a
the peg. Perhaps more than most men,
minefield for a man. And it’s not like I’m
I’ve chosen to be a man. That choice is
just any sort of man, I’m the worst sort; A
what I would like to write about.
middle class, white, relatively affluent,
We don’t generally question our gender
able bodied, well educated, an ostensibly
because (society tells us) there it is,
heterosexual man past his adolescence
between our legs. But can what is
but not yet old. I’m so far up the ladder of
between our legs really be more
social privilege that there are fluffy white
important, more decisive or more forma-
figurative clouds beneath me. And that
tive than what is between our ears?
pisses me off for a start.
Judith Butler thought not. She wrote
I won’t patronize the readers of this
Gender Trouble in 1990; androgyny was
magazine by pretending to understand
big in pop culture, homosexuality had
what it must be like being a woman - as
largely become socially acceptable and
though it’s some sort of disability. I don’t
trans-gender issues were more widely
know what it’s like to put up with my
understood than ever before. Butler’s
fellow men heckling you in the street, to
book hit the mark, and over the next
know that there is probably an artificially
decade became what academics like to
imposed limit to your professional
call established. In it Butler writes that
achievements and to have the ever-
transgressions of gender norms
present, media-magnified, threat of your
(transvestitism, homosexuality,
body hanging over you. I’ve no idea –
transgendered people) are an indication
honestly.
that something is very wrong with our fundamental conception of gender, or in
What I do know about is my own gender,
her words “In imitating gender, drag
and how it has been cultivated, socially,
implicitly reveals the imitative structure of
to be something aspirational, something
gender itself— as well as its contingen-
to be maintained and something to be 14
cy.”. That contingency is a reversal of the culturally inherited idea that gender is biologically determined; instead proposing that gender is socially constructed. She argues that the simple fact that we can subvert it illustrates its mutability. Gender, Butler says, is a performance. Mostly, though, it is a performance we aren’t really aware of. It is so fundamental to our view of ourselves, so entrenched in our social status, and instilled in us from such a young age that we perform it automatically. We dress in gender appropriate clothing, we act in gender appropriate ways. It is only when this norm is broken that we become aware – sometimes uncomfortably so – of the other possibilities gender holds. The duality of gender as presupposed by the duality of anatomical sex is largely a result of religion. The western Christian tradition is littered with binary gender relationships. Adam and Eve, in whatever form you choose to take them, set up the distinction right from the start. Whatever your views on religion – and I shan’t lie, mine are generally negative – its historical use as a mechanism of political and 15
reproduction. Everything else is
social control is not reasonably
arbitrarily labeled as evil.
deniable. The heterosexual construct – the idea that
This breeding pair – or perhaps the more
exclusive heterosexu-
commonly understood nuclear family – is very useful if you’re in charge. Societies
ality is moral – is
are very difficult to govern, to structure. If
possibly the
you can convince the population that
most
their paths are set from birth you go a
powerful example
long way towards solving the problem of
of this
governance. Some societies do it with classes, castes or reincarnation.
control.
Christianity did it with genitals.
Religious
Times have changed and having a career
sexual taboos exist
is no longer predicated upon having a
to produce a very predictable form of
penis. The church is still struggling with its
sexual congress
ideas about gender in the face of a society that has changed more rapidly than it
which
could have predicted. Medical and
maximizes
scientific understanding of biological gender has blurred what used to be clearcut. Feminist and Queer theories have provided every reason to drop the pretense. Yet for most people biology and gender are still deeply linked, only a few variations are more or less tolerated. Butler did not seek to create a state of no gender, to abolish it altogether. She saw the implication of her theory as quite the opposite: “a radical proliferation of gender”. She sought that all the possibilities of gender expression should be accounted for and made available. Between anatomy, sexuality and social 16
expression there are an ocean of variables
never be a mother. But, by Butler, I could
all of which can construct new ideas about
have been. After all, what is it to be a
personal gender.
mother? Is it to be pregnant and give
As religion becomes less of an inhibiting
birth? But then what of those women
factor in personal expression we are
who, unable to conceive, adopt? Are they
finding ourselves instead boxed in by
not mothers too? I think to claim that
consumerism. Fashion – as a business
they are not would be a horrible insult to
concerned with outward appearance - has
people who provide nurture and care to
understood the mutability of gender for
infants who, biology aside, are for all
longer than most sectors of culture. It has
practical purposes their own children.
to a significant degree been helpful with
Through this reasoning we can come to
the forward cultural momentum of
the revelation that the capacity for
Feminism and Queer Theory despite its
motherhood is not determined at birth.
many (and I do mean many) crimes. In
Being born anatomically male does not
return, ‘Gender’ has become something of
necessarily rule it out, and transgendered
a consumer object. It is less noticeably so
people adopting – while highly provoca-
today than it was in the late eighties and
tive for some – is something society is
early nineties, the androgynous look
going to have to come to terms with.
never quite took off in earnest, but it is
Today the anatomical capacity to bear
still perfectly possible to buy a wardrobe
children is just as irrelevant to your ability
full of different genders you can put on at
to be a mother as it is to your career.
will. I have, over the years, varied very
Motherhood is no longer defined by the
much the way I dress, partly as a response
nine months before giving birth, but by
to my own concerns with gender. In my
the lifetime afterward. It is a state of
youth I occasionally wore clothes notion-
mind, a process of care, a performative
ally designed for girls, nothing explicitly
behavior constructed in much the same
gendered – no Eddie Izzard ball gowns -
way as gender. In effect, motherhood is
but I toyed with androgyny at a high level.
another sort of expression of gender, and
Now I have pretty much settled in my own
when we take our thoughts out from
skin. I am comfortable with both my
between our legs we cannot help but
interior gender, the way I consume it and
realize this. I will never be a mother
the way I express it publicly.
because I have chosen to be a man, but I
I began this with a simple statement: I will
didn’t have to. 17
Sophia Alba questions what is ‘natural’ when it comes to reproduction. As the world has become increasingly
natural world to its rhythms and regula-
globalised and technologically advanced,
tions, we are presented with a number of
we are being faced with a number of
options, rather than being dictated to by
questions that once belonged solely to
nature.
the realm of science fiction. We now live
For those who are not able to conceive a
in a world where we are no longer bound
child, In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), is an
to our biological traits as technology is
answer to their prayers. It was in 1978
able to manipulate nature. Women no
that the first child was conceived through
longer need to bow to infertility, as IVF
the use of IVF was born. Although there
and surrogacy have allowed them to have
was concern over this process of creating
children with their own genetic code. Not
‘test-tube babies’, our attitudes towards
only are technologies available that can
the process have now
make our eggs and wombs more produc-
changed, so much so that IVF
tive, we are able to manipulate cells to
is now available on the
such an extent that we can remove all
NHS as it is
genetic material from one egg and replace it with that of another, thereby giving rise to a clone. In this article we look at the ways in which the biotechnology industry has impacted our ability to have children, its social impacts and the ethical and moral questions we are forced to face in consequence. Baby Love Evolutionarily speaking, reproduction is one of the prime factors that drives the survival and propagation of a species, and as such it is central to our existence. But as our world ventures further into the technological realm, leaving behind the 18
widely used as a technique of assisted
questions that are raised with IVF. One of
reproduction.
these is the issue of implanting multiple
The process of IVF begins with hormone
embryos into a womb in the hope that at
treatment for the woman to stimulate
least one will develop into a foetus.
ovulation and the retrieval of a number of
However there is a possibility that more
eggs. Sperm taken from the potential
embryos will implant than will be safe to
father is combined with the eggs in a petri
carry to term, which would require the
dish. After a period of incubation, usually
selective abortion of one or more of the
between 2-3 days, embryos are selected
developing foetuses to safeguard the
for transfer into the woman’s uterus.
lives of mother and child. At present in
Pregnancy is successful once the embryo
the UK, a maximum of two embryos for
is able to implant itself in the lining of the
women under the age of 40 and a
uterus.
maximum of three for women aged 40 or
As with any technology that impacts
over, is permitted.
biology, there are a number of ethical
The selection of embryos for transfer raise questions concerning the genetic screening of embryos for the purposes of selecting genetically desirable traits or the sex of the child. Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis may also be performed on an embryo to ensure that embryos do not contain certain hereditary disease causing genes. IVF requires a number of egg cells to be fertilised and only a select few embryos are implanted into the womb. This procedure inevitably leads to the production of more embryos than will be used and raises the question of what should be done with these so called ‘spare embryos’ and who has ownership over them. At present they are frozen, should the couple wish to use them 19
in the future. As these embryos present
concern for the
themselves as a source from which to
vulnerability of
derive stem cells, there remains a
these women.
possibility that the ownership of spare
There are con-
embryos may be transferred from the
cerns about the
individuals concerned to the State for the
implantation of
advancement of stem cell therapies.
multiple embry-
“Google Babies”
os, often more
In recent years, surrogacy amongst
than four, and
women in India for Western clients has
the subsequent
increased dramatically. It is a $2 billion
need for ‘foetal
unregulated industry, as people desperate
reduction’.
for their own genetic offspring turn to the
Many of the surrogates are also required
internet for a solution. For a fee of a few
to undergo caesareans in accordance with
thousand pounds, you can order yourself
the wishes of the commissioning parents.
a ‘Google baby’. These surrogate babies
As the women are largely from poorer,
are made up of the same genetic material
traditional communities, they are derided
as their parents and the embryo is im-
as outcasts. It is a price that the surro-
planted into a surrogate womb. The
gates are often willing to pay for the con-
women who are chosen to become
siderable amount of money they receive,
surrogates are mostly poor, have children
a sum that means they will be able to en-
of their own, and are eager to earn a
sure an education and better future for
veritable fortune for the use of their
their own children.
wombs.
Vanity Fair
Whilst they are promised premium ante-
In 1997, a team of scientists from the
natal care, once the child is born, the
Roslin Institute at Edinburgh successfully
women are often overlooked. Earlier this
cloned a ewe name Dolly. The news of the
year, Premila Vaghela, a 30-year-old
first cloned mammal stunned the whole
surrogate mother from India, died after
world, not only the public but also scien-
giving birth to a baby commissioned by an
tists themselves. Scientists never believed
American couple. It is estimated that 25,
it was possible for the changes that would
000 children are born every year through
have occurred through age would be able
surrogates in India, and there is mounting
to be reversed and reset so that the DNA 20
could act as a
fulfilment of their own desires and wishes
template upon
than for the child born from such a
which clones
method? The fear is that such
could be
technologies would lead to children being
produced.
treated as commodities. Whilst cloning
With this
could potentially be used as a method of
discovery,
artificial insemination, one must ask if this
concern grew
method is justifiable or responsible. To
about the
replicate life is a dangerous thing, not
potential
simply because it seems to be unnatural,
cloning of
but also because of the motivations
humans, thus
behind it. The scientific curiosity is based
raising many questions regarding
upon a desire to know whether they can
definitions of life and bringing into the
actually ‘create life’, although it is really a
forefront questions of what is acceptable
process of replication rather than crea-
or not.
tion.
There has been widespread condemna-
In Kazuo Ishiguro’s book, ‘Never Let Me
tion of reproductive cloning and most sci-
Go’ we see a portrayal of the future
entists as well as religious groups have
where clones are used to harvest organs
stated that this form of cloning should not
for transplantation. These clones, whilst
be pursued. It is also worth mentioning
living in a communal environment which
here that the creation of Dolly the sheep
is ‘normal’, know they cannot reproduce
was by no means an efficient process,
and their fate is either to die so that
with 277 failed attempts.
another may live, or to look after those
Although cloning, used as a method of
who must die. We see in this depiction of
artificial insemination may be a form of
a possible future, a cruelty and selfishness
helping infertility, it does raise concerns
as forms of human existence become
about the desires some may harbour of
commodities and life is reduced to its
replicating a loved one or the selective
most basic material form.
use of DNA from someone with desired characteristics such as health, appearance or intelligence. Is it really inconceivable that some may end up caring more for the 21
Is it really the enemy of creativity? Sandra Oxley considers how becoming a mother affects women artists. “There is no more sombre enemy of
crucial element of women’s struggle to
good art than the pram in the hall,” said
exist on an equal footing in the world. It’s
writer and critic Cyril Connolly in 1938.
what keeps many women in poverty, for
Although coined by a man, the phrase
a start. It takes bright, dynamic citizens
has echoed down the decades as one of
out of the economy and leads to our
the key issues in women’s lives – how to
greatest institutions, Parliament includ-
balance personal fulfilment with what is
ed, being mostly empty of the female
perceived to be the self-sacrificing day to
voice. In some ways, women who are
day routine of motherhood. When the
able to sustain an art practice are in a
personal fulfilment is creative, with all
much better position than women who
the specific and delicate demands of
have to find employment. (How many
creativity, the balance can become even
jobs are operational from 9.30 to 2.30
more difficult to maintain.
and give you 14 weeks holiday a year?
There are creative women who have
That’s what mothers need).
been used to working at 2 in the
The numbers, as far as they can be
morning, creating their own unique work
believed, suggest that art and mother-
schedule, enjoying the possibility of
hood do not mix well.
spending hours just thinking and
“Women artists are as likely to be
planning. For these women, all of that
married as female workers in general, but
stops the second your child emerges into
they are less likely to have children. In
life. Furthermore, babies don’t stay
2003-2005, more than half of all women
babies – personally I found it easier to be
artists and all women workers were
creative with a baby than with a growing
married. Yet only 29 percent of women
child. Schools runs and school holidays
artists had children under 18, almost six
dictate an unshakeable structure to life
percentage points lower than for women
and, for hands on mothers, creativity has
workers in general” National Endowment
to fit in.
for the Arts, 02 December 2008,USA
In the broader picture, what is often
And some women artists concur with
termed the work/life balance is a pretty
this. Maria Lassnig explained, in an 22
‘Everything you ever wanted’, Alexandria Welch
23
interview with Emine Saner in The
with as in reality, most do not want to
Guardian in 2008,
choose. Having a baby is often the
"When I was young, I was clever enough
triumph of hope over experience. Many
to know that if I got married or had
women artists will have their babies,
children, I would be eaten. I would be
scared but confident they will ‘work
sick if I couldn't paint, and I would be
something out’. Of course, what usually
schizophrenic because I would have
‘works out’ is that their art falls by the
wanted to do both [paint and have a
wayside and becomes what is damningly
family]. So I renounced it. I don't
known as a ‘hobby’.
understand young women who have a
Our cover artist, Audrey Walas-Godfrey
big family and want to make art. I don't
is a new mother of just 2 months. She
think it is possible."
explains how she feels about this huge
In the same piece the artist Ana Maria
change in her life.
Pacheco discussed her working practice.
“Since my baby boy was born I haven't
"I always have a deadline. At the minute,
really tried to think or work on any
I'm trying to finish a large piece. The idea
painting project. I can't see when I could
that you can get up in the morning and
have a few hours ahead to concentrate
go to your studio and get on with your
on any big piece. Life with a new born is
work is very idealistic. If you're as
quite chaotic - in the early stages your
obsessed with your work as I am, you will
priorities are about having a shower and
work whenever you can to get it done."
getting dressed before mid-afternoon!”
She states she doesn’t regret not having
However as I, and no doubt many others
children.
felt, the birth of a baby is closely linked
Paula Rego disagrees, however,
to creativity. Audrey goes on to say,
"I worked like a maniac, the work came
“My son’s birth gave me a new energy in
and came," she says. "If you have a child,
life which I think will naturally help my
all you do is open your legs and it comes
creativity... your creations are what you
out. You don't need an idea behind it. To
are. I never thought I would stop being
do a picture, you have to have an idea
creative and an artist just because I have
and then you struggle over it. Having
become a mummy. I feel I can be both.
children never got in the way of my
These two identities are part of me now,
work."
and have to work together.”
This is what most women will be faced
In her 2008 film “Who does she think she 24
is?” the director Pamela Tanner Bolt
continually address this prejudice when-
examined this very issue by focusing on
ever faced with it. I am reminded of a
the lives of a number of creative women.
poem by the author Marge Piercy in
The film explains that although at least
which she discusses how creativity is
70% of students studying visual arts are
viewed by others.
women, only 30% of work taken up by
“Talent is what they say
collectors or museums is by women. One
You have after the novel
problem is that the subject matter many
Is published and favourably
women work with is not considered
Reviewed. Beforehand what
‘serious’ by the mainstream art world.
You have is a tedious
Women’s bodies, babies, the domestic
Delusion, a hobby like knitting.”
sphere, the female take on sex – all is
One artist in the film makes a poignant
dismissed as lightweight, in comparison
statement about negotiating the balance
to traditional male themes (which one
of her family with her burning sense of
might unkindly categorize as revolving
creativity.
around ships, buildings and oh, yes,
“I am in the middle of a forest. There are
women’s bodies…..). Debra Wilson, one
no paths. I have no companions. And I
of the directors of the WW Gallery in
hear wolves.”
London says she encounters the problem
But she carries on. It would be as well for
regularly of women’s art being underval-
all women - artists or not, mothers or not
ued, even by the women themselves.
- to remember these last lines from
“A woman will price her work at £600
Marge Piercy’s poem.
pounds. A man would come in say ‘I want
“Work is its own cure. You have to
£6000 for it.’”
Like it better than being loved.”
The mothers in ‘Who does she think she is?’ also talk about being judged,
‘Who does she think she is?’ website
criticised and belittled for their choices.
The Rachel Papers, a blog by artist and author Rachel Power discusses art and motherhood.
They are damned for not taking their art seriously enough – they are criticised for not putting their children first. It’s a tired old situation and one women artists
Overleaf opposite, Maternité, Marguerite Gerard, 1795
share with working women in general, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t 25
26
27
In this issue the Professor chews over 24 hour rolling news, Chinese feminism and why it’s OK to be a little bit Walter Mitty ... Since Issue 1 of Collage the world of
walking down the street now. The
television has changed forever as a result
presenters sit as tense as piles sufferers,
of the Jimmy Saville/Newsnight/Philip
their faces strained as they pray, please
Schofield v. David Cameron/George
God, let something happen. We’ve sent
Entwhistle’s salary debacle. So who am I
five vans, twelve reporters and the
to think I am so superior I can’t give the
winner of a Newsround Junior Journalist
BBC a good kicking? Though it’s not
competition to cover this story and the
specifically the BBC itself I want to turn
whole thing’s been a complete waste. So
my attention to but the evil known as 24
there’s a collective sigh of relief when a
hour news channels….
dead body actually floats past or an old
24 hour news channels are the most
lady’s house collapses. Phew! Another
wasteful and pointless thing on TV – even
good day at the studio.
more so than that ghost programme
I remember reading, many years ago, an
starring Danny Dyer. They are nothing
interview with a Palestinian psychologist
more than a cartoon channel for people
living in Gaza. She said she never watched
who think they’re clever. Such people
the news, or let her children watch it. It
(you know who you are) boast – oh, we
would destroy us and make us too
have News 24, or Fox or CNN or, if they’re
terrified to live, she said. For those of us
being frightfully chi-chi, Al Jazeera – and
living in a peaceful country where survival
we have it on all the time. Why? There’s
isn’t a daily challenge, a complete ban on
not that much news! You can tell there’s
the news may be extreme but there’s no
not that much news because when
need to be inundated with it all the time.
something really happens – a tsunami or
Graham Davey, a psychologist writing in
hurricane, a President massacring his own
Psychology Today considers the damage
people or Kate Moss saying something
done by television news.
intelligible, the news channels latch onto
“…there is also an increasing tendency
it with the ferocity of a banned fighting
for news broadcasters to ‘emotionalise’
dog. Hours and hours of dull footage,
their news and to do so by emphasizing
waiting for a person who might just be 28
any potential negative outcomes of a
lived through decades of it. The origins
story no matter how low the risks of
are lost in time to all but the history
those negative outcomes might be.”
professors. Or what brought Syria to its current situation as bloodbath? Or why
In other words, they ramp up the misery
Putin has such a stranglehold over
to make it all the more dramatic. This
Russians that they don’t burst out
emotionalising of the news is clear –
laughing every time he wrestles a
listen carefully to any news headlines and
tranquilised bear? I’m not suggesting
you will hear how much ‘spin’ has been
you make more of those tedious, over
put into the phrasing, how many
produced ‘drama- documentaries’ that
pejorative words are used rather than
must cost the equivalent of a city
clear, neutral language.
hospitals’ annual budget. I mean some
There probably aren’t that many of us
simple, clear research, presented by well
who sit and watch the news channels for
-informed people (OK, if they’re
hours at a time, so you might wonder
academics, I’ll approve a make-up and
what the problem is. Yes, it’s convenient
hair budget). It would be useful, quite
to have channels that can update you on
cheap and dare I say, possibly
events whenever you want. But do they?
entertaining?
Often, when I turn on outside the hourly
The most frightening thing about 24
headlines, I am met by a blank faced
hour news channels is the influence they
presenter trying to think of something to
have on the decision making process of
say – or a sports roundup or another
our elected officials. Constantly trying to
review of the newspapers. If I want quick
keep the media on-side (and don’t we
and informative news, I’m more likely to
know how, Mr. Cameron, LOL) how
find it on the net.
many political decisions are made with
My suggestion, new director-general of
an eye to the headlines coming on in 10
the BBC (I haven’t bothered to remember
minutes? How many statements are
your name as I’m doubtful you’ll last long)
rushed through to fit in with the media’s
is that you use the hour in between the
schedule, rather than the media fitting in
headlines for some thoughtful, well
with the governments? I dream of a
researched background stories to current
world where the PM’s PA doesn’t have
news events. I can barely remember how
to worry about how his hair looks on
or why the issues between Palestine and
screen. Just think of a world where our
Israel became so devastating and I’ve 29
government is made up of people who
to tell the difference between the fantasy
are in their post due purely to their
and the reality of that weekend (not
abilities and not the televisual
unless they cross checked with Clooney’s
personalities? Then, instead of the Clegg/
memories too…)
Cameron nice suit parade, we’d have…..
As Nancy Sinatra sang “You only live
oh no, on second thoughts, that’s just as
twice … once for your life and once for
bad.
your dreams.” Being a bit of Walter Mitty
A few years ago I was fortunate enough
(the character made famous in an old
to spend a weekend at George Clooney’s
Danny Kaye film, who gets into trouble
villa in Italy. It was great – we drank
for making up fabulous stories about his
Negroni’s, sped around the lake in his
life) is pretty much frowned upon. You
gorgeous re-conditioned Riva speedboat
can’t just fantasise, you have to DO It! BE
and just hung out with a load of glamor-
IT! LIVE IT! Or else you’re nothing…. Well,
ous good looking people. And after dark
you know what? Personally I don’t have
… well, that would be telling.
the time to do, be and live all the things I
The fact that whilst I was doing this, I
fancy, so some of them I just imagine. Of
was also lying in bed with the flu is
course, I’m not suggesting you let it bleed
barely worth a mention. My body might
into real life and tell your new lover that
have been at home fighting off germs,
were out late working for MI5, or tell the
but my imagination was having a bloody
bank manager that the 10 million you
fabulous time. I’m pretty sure if I were
won on the lottery will be deposited any
kidnapped by aliens and had my
day now, honest… But there is much more
memories probed, they wouldn’t be able
room for imaginative play in our lives. If you’re creative, not playing will be the death of your art. If you’re not creative, not playing will be the death of your soul. It’s generally considered now that a bit of aimless wandering play, using only the imagination, is one of the best things for children in their development. Well, it’s one of the best things for adults too. If your recreation is all about achieving and 30
winning, why not experiment with a bit of
although we are unapologetically a
aimless imaginative fantasy?
magazine for and about women artists
There’s a great episode about imagination
and gender based issues, we certainly
in SpongeBob Square pants (which if you
didn’t want to exclude men and their
don’t watch because you’re a ‘grown-up’
ideas and opinions. However, we’re
then shame on you – it has more wit,
learning that if you stick your head above
drama and pathos than any HBO mini-
the parapet, some people like to take pot
series). SpongeBob’s nemesis, the self-
shots. There’s the male artist who won’t
important Squidward, finds his neighbour
publically support us on the basis that he
has taken to hanging out inside a giant
doesn’t have breasts (moobs count,
cardboard box. The noises that come from
darling). Another male reader comment-
box suggest a whole world of adventure
ed that we were a bit ‘womanish’. Well,
and excitement – cars racing, elephants
duh! Do they know there are countless
squealing, drinks clinking. But when he
publications aimed purely at women
looks inside, there’s just SpongeBob and
littering up the magazine racks? Good
his friend Patrick sitting in an empty card-
Housekeeping? Woman & Home? Has
board box. Squidward is perplexed – is the
anyone ever been surprised that they are
box magic? Is SpongeBob tricking him?
a ‘bit womanish’? Or are ‘women-only’
Why is SpongeBob so damn happy and
publications fine when their sole purpose
seemingly having so much fun? Eventually
is to bury us in an avalanche of diet tips
SpongeBob reveals the secret. They are
and glittery shoes? To be honest, I quite
using their …. imaginations.
like a flick through a fashion’n’home magazine and as a mother it genuinely is useful to know how many months you
The Editor has brought some responses
can leave a cooked chicken in the fridge
to issue 1 of Collage to my attention.
before it will poison your family. But
We’ve had some wonderful feedback
there is a definite sense of unease when
(otherwise there probably wouldn’t have
women’s magazines start to focus
even been an issue 2) but there have
seriously (without a giggle or a pink dress
also been some interesting responses
or a cupcake in sight) on politics or
from men. Now, we have brilliant men
economics or art… areas that are tradi-
on board (thank you to Kevin, Justin and
tionally male?
our new writer Fred Wyver) and 31
Flicking through the pile of weekend papers a while ago I came across a supplement dedicated to ‘luxury’. Although the word always making me think of over-priced loo roll, I took a wander through its world of private jets, solid gold bidets, bespoke leather door knobs and opals set into the shape of jellyfish. By the time I’d reached the last page (I think it described how a £2000 ski jacket was stuffed with an extra special kind of virgin swansdown dipped in plutonium) the abiding impression was… China. There was an interview with Frida Giannini, the designer at Gucci, which takes places in Shanghai, where she discusses what a powerful market the Chinese have become. There’s an article on the most fabulous hotel suites you could stay in for a mere £15,000 a night. Most interesting is the fashion spread, where a Chinese model, Emma Pei, drifts around a bamboo forest in a series of evening dresses (none of which cost less than 5k). Pei and the increasing number of East Asian models working in Europe and the States have achieved something that black models, ‘fiercely real’ models (as Tyra Banks cutely calls plus size) and models with disabilities have all tried and failed to do – Emma Pei’s beautiful face, with her distinctly Chinese features, is
32
synonymous with luxury. And with luxury comes wealth and power… China being the ‘new frontier’ isn’t news to anyone. Not only is it interesting to understand the situation in which women find themselves in contemporary China and important in terms of ‘sisterhood’, it’s also important to us as women elsewhere in the world. China’s economic power means it is increasingly in a position to export culture and social attitude along with toys, electronica and weapons. Whilst the Chinese currently seem to be embracing western culture, everything from a classic British education to a You Tube fetish for Benedict Cumberbatch, the divide is porous and works both ways. It might start with Emma Pei selling us a face cream but my bet is that soon there will be Chinese influence in all areas of culture as well as politics, economics and manufacture. So, in a country where such radical social upheaval dominated the 20th century, isn’t it vital we try to understand where Chinese omen are today? Sad to admit, but my early knowledge of Chinese women was gleaned from the ‘The World of Suzie Wong’ – great clothes but tragic prostitutes being punished by society aren’t an uplifting representation of anyone’s culture. This was followed by Jung Chan’s book ‘Wild Swans’ and the actress, Michelle Yeoh high-kicking her way 33
through a Bond film and Crouching Tiger,
ago. Irrespective of laws passed, social
Hidden Dragon (in fact she is Malaysian
norms still dictated that women occupied
not Chinese). We know ‘facts’ about
a secondary role to. As feminist artist Li
Chinese women, such as they can only
Xinmo stated recently, “Feminism has 50
have one baby, they used to have their
years of history in Europe and the US,
feet bound and they have an unwhole-
but, in this country, no one talks about
some fondness for logos. It can be easy to
women’s rights – especially—
make casually racist assumptions. Even
when human rights are still a taboo,”
my beloved Private Eye mistakenly
Li Xinmo took part in an exhibition earlier
described Wendi Deng, the Chinese wife
this year that may prove to be turning
of Rupert Murdoch as being from ‘the
point in Chinese feminism. Claiming it to
Land of Rising Sun (er, that’s Japan…),
be the first feminist art exhibition ever in
leading us to consider the unpalatable
China, Li and her fellow women artists,
notion of ‘them’ all looking the same.
Lan Jiny and Xiao Lu created the show ‘Bald Girls - From Tribal Thoughts to
Feminism in China seemed to achieve success early on in the 20th
Queer Culture’ which was held at the
century. Chinese suffragettes stormed
Iberia Centre for Contemporary Art in
parliament in 1912 and the May the
Shanghai in spring 2012. Whilst there may
Fourth Movement was inspired by the
be some issue taken with the ‘first
women’s rights movement which
feminist show’ epithet, it’s certainly true
demanded an end to polygamy and
that the coming together of these three
arranged marriage as well as calling for
powerful women artists caused a stir in
women’s right to higher education. In the
the art world with international interest
1950’s the People’s Republic introduced
focused on it.
what appeared to be a radical reform,
Xiao Lu was hailed as China’s first
abolishing the ‘head of the family’,
contemporary feminist when she created
allowed women to earn property rights
her graduation piece ‘Dialogue’ way back
through their housework duties and to
in 1989. It consisted of two phone boxes,
bequeath that property to their children.
a man in one, a woman in the other with
Furthermore, women such as Song
a cord between them. Armed with a hand
Qingling and Jiang Qing were politically
gun, Xiao Lu fired two bullets into the
powerful. However, it has been pointed
piece (apparently because her professor
out that their power only came via their
had described it as being ‘too complete’).
husbands (Sun Yat Sen, leader of the
That ‘Bald Girls’ almost didn’t happen
1911 revolution and Mao Zedong respec-
because the authorities demanded the
tively). It’s as if the wider social revolu-
removal of two works by Lan Jiny is a
tion left no space for the one on gender
testament limits on freedom Chinese
and Chinese feminism stalled decades
artists work within. Jiny removed the 34
work in order to ensure the show could go
China. Although she began as a painter
ahead but it was missing a painting of her
she was transformed by the avant-guard
depicted as similar Jiang Qing and a video
art world in Beijing in the early ‘90’s and
piece about Ai Wei Wei’s arrest.
studied performance art with Marina
The centre piece of the show was when
Abramovic. Experiencing ‘Happy Yingmei’
the three artists shaved their heads at the
was disturbing, powerful and beautiful.
opening and left three piles of hair. Along
Based on the Oscar Wilde story ‘The
with Li Xinmo’s piece ‘The Barber’s
Happy Prince’ Yingmei is tucked away
Barbie’s’ in which she shaved and painted
from the main gallery through a specially
with tar the heads of shop window
cut Hobbit sized door. Going through you
dummies, the exhibition played with the
enter a dark, wintery forest. From the
notions of gender and what it is to be
shadows the artist emerges slowly,
masculine or feminine in a way barely
singing sweetly. She comes closer, until
seen in contemporary Chinese art. In an
she is staring intently straight into your
interview for the New York Times the
eyes, as if she’s assessing your soul, then
artists cite the problem of women only
hands out a drawing or story. The overall
being powerful through their husbands.
impression is of visiting a wise woman or
Xioa Lu is quoted as saying,
a priestess – it’s intensely personal and
“No matter what female hero you look at
intimate and very female.
in Chinese history, at their side they all
One of the great things about art is that it
had a very powerful husband. And only by
helps us to explode ‘facts’ and challenge
using their husband’s power did they
our own assumptions. Whilst the work of
realize their goals and influence. In China,
the women artists discussed in this piece
women don’t have their own power that
have been criticised at one time or anoth-
truly belongs to them.
er for being naïve or a little old fashioned
“So women and men really aren’t equal,”
in their approach to gender, it is exciting
she said. “I think Chinese women’s libera-
to see how a new generation of women
tion will depend on each woman taking
are experiencing feminism. For us in the
power for herself, really for herself, and
West, sitting on our 100 years of organic
not with a man. And only in that way will
feminist development, it’s vital we open
Chinese women gain equality.”
up to the work, philosophy and politics of
Another female Chinese artist gaining an
women artists working in China.
international reputation is Yingmei Duan. I Previous Page
saw her piece ‘Happy Yingmei’ at the
Top, The Barber’s Barbie, Li Xinmo. Centre, Happy Yingmei, by Yingmei Duan (image Linda Nylind) Artists, Li Xinmo, Lan Jiny and Xia Lu after shaving their heads at the opening of ‘Bald Girls’.
Hayward (Art of Change, Southbank) recently. Her work is not so blatantly confrontational in terms of gender and gives us another way into women’s art in 35
Rosie Melville’s Non Compos Mentis (Latin for ‘not of sound mind’) series of mixed media sculptures was greatly influenced by her degree in Biomedical Sciences. Since 2009, Rosie, who is based in Medway in Kent, has been concentrating on developing an art practice. Currently studying for a degree in Fine Art, Rosie’s work has developed rapidly over the past few years. Her ink and bleach series ‘Omorfia Sol’ Omorfia Ena’ and Omorfia Kyria’ are the result of experimenting with the free-flowing, spontaneous nature of medium. Rosie likes to use found materials and personal possessions in her Non Compos Mentis series because they hold memories unique to their previous owner’s life. Rosie’s fascination with historical cataloguing and museum archives is clear in her work. Originally she drew inspiration for the Non Compos mentis series from the 19th century, looking at the Victorian’s attitudes towards medicine and mental health. She was influenced by research at the Hunterian Museum and the Old Operating Theatre in London, along with research into old fashioned insane asylums. In this series of works Rosie focuses of the subject of mental health, exploring instability in a visual form. This is juxtaposed with the order of museum archives, to create an emotional tension that is both provocative and oddly comforting. For more information on Rosie Melville’s work click here
36
Right, Ormorfi Kyria Below left to right, Non Compos Mentis 5, 4 and 6
37
Ruth Geldard has been exhibiting widely since the 1990’s. Her early, much admired works were generally accomplished watercolours portraits, including a residency at a branch of Asda in 2006 where she created vivid portraits of the staff. However, Ruth’s work has taken a different path since 2009 when she returned to formal fine art study. Her recent work has been sculptural and specifically explores how gender relates to the viewer’s interaction with the materials used. Her collection of sculpture/ assemblage takes the natural, such as wood, bird skulls or coconut shells and inserts into or covers it with made materials like resin or knitted fabric. This results in suggestive, rather sensuous pieces which are given titles that question the gender of acts such as ‘To Nurture’ (opposite), ‘To Heal’ or ‘To Smother’. Beyond this Ruth has created a wide variety of work, often exploring gender. Above, To Cover Opposite top, Ripe Opposite bottom left, To Nurture Opposite bottom right, To Skirt
More information about Ruth Geldard’s work can be found here.
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39
Three women artists discuss their personal journeys into faith and how that has affected their art and creativity Emma Cuthbert reveals the life-changing experiences she has had whilst discovering Vipanassa meditation.
they did and I consider the two of them my heroes, my rescuers. For me I can only describe the practice as a gym for the mind; like climbing a big mountain in the mind. Here we train to
So, at the age of 33, after making a
be in the present moment and to
bunch mistakes and collecting a fair few
acknowledge the truth of and in each
sins, I discovered something very
moment. When we slow down and give
special: an insight meditation practice
ourselves time to notice what is really
called Vipassana. Without a doubt it has
going on in our minds and in our bodies,
changed my life, I would even go so far
the truth begins to show itself. As we
to say it has saved it.
learn with personal guidance from
In January of this year on a lengthy trip
teachers to become more mindful,
to Thailand, I sat in the courtyard of a
wisdom can begin to arise and we
guest house I was staying at, and typed
gradually learn to overcome things that
into the Google search engine
affect us all as humans, such as anger,
"meditation retreats". A few days later I
impatience, pain, worry, laziness, greed,
found myself at a meditation centre.
and desire.
Completely ignorant of the practice and
I have never read the book or seen the
to the true benefits of meditation, I
film Eat, Pray, Love, but Javier Bardem or
decided to dedicate a full five days to it.
his equivalent definitely did not fall in
At the time five days without a phone,
love with me. I have however had a few
books, music, internet, sightseeing,
deluded crushes on people, come face to
socialising, make up and alcohol seemed
face with scary and ugly faces, have
to me like a huge commitment. But
realised some horrible self truths,
thankfully I was persuaded by a teacher
endured hours of pain and enjoyed vari-
and an assistant teacher to stay and
ous fantasies. These are just a few of the
complete the full twenty-one day
conditions I've encountered in my
course, I am so grateful to them that 40
Opposite, Contemplation, S. Nasser
41
meditative state as a beginner.
help the Teachers, to help and welcome
In March I flew back to England, in many
other meditators to the centre. I could
ways feeling a lot lighter, mentally and
not refuse the opportunity because of
physically and a lot more relaxed about
how much the kind people here and the
the uncertainty of my future. The method
Dhamma (the teaching of truth) has
has helped me to overcome many things,
helped me.
an eating disorder, nail biting, an
My situation is not without its ego
unhealthy need to get drunk and I have a
difficulties. I have also had to face
better understanding or view of my
conflict with a teaching assistant. She
depression. I also believe it took my
seemed so unforgiving of my mistakes,
artistic ability to a new level, surprisingly
so impatient with me and would often
to me as a few months before I had no
look at me with disdain. At the time I
idea I could draw at all. Of course I cannot
would have described her behaviour as a
prove these benefits to you. Some
bully. In My naivety I thought that
religions say you simply have to believe
everybody here would be kind and
but The Buddha instructed people not to,
peaceful and many are but I soon
He said, do not believe me or what any-
realised that this is the whole point. All
body tells you or take what you read in a
humans have things to overcome,
book as the final truth but try for yourself
whether it is anger, impatience, fear and
and discover for yourself.
more. We all have good parts and bad
After a few months exploring creativity
parts. What could I possibly learn if
with my paints and pencils, I knew in my
everyone is charming and complimentary
heart that I had to return to the Temple.
all the time? Yes, a conflict like this did
The practice along with its benefits had
make me want to leave, to go back home
also brought some buried defilements to
to see my family and friends. But I am
the surface. My anger and impatience was
not going anywhere just yet. A wise
at times evident and in need of address-
teacher said to me in passing "it will
ing. So, grateful that I had no home,
make you stronger". His few words were
boyfriend, job or pets to consider, in July I
enough encouragement for me to soldier
found myself back in Northern Thailand
on. I began to think that perhaps that it
and have been here ever since. I now
is something I needed to overcome.
continue to learn and practice and have
Perhaps it is my Karma or maybe her
been given a wonderful opportunity to
anger mirrors the hidden and not so nice 42
part of me that is in need of love and
with the help and guidance from some
kindness. Who knows, I am no expert but
very special and very kind people. All I can
what I do know is that everybody here
do from this moment on is be good and
wants to be, and is trying to be a better
try, try, try to live by the five Buddhist
and improved human being and I respect
precepts and try wherever I can, to be
anyone with the good intention to do so.
kind and giving and not because someone
Good people can do not so good things
has told me to or from something I've read
and not so good people can change. I
but from what I have learnt from insight
also know how incredibly lucky I am to
meditation.
have found this place and even luckier to
The more I learn, the more the religious
have the time to give to myself and to be
aspect become evident. My original
in a position to help others learn to cope
purpose to try meditation was purely for
and deal with whatever life may throw at
self-improvement. Now I'm beginning to
them. The person I was in conflict with,
see that it is so much more than that. Even
has now become a very good friend of
though it is still the main objective I have a
mine, I recognise the purity of her heart
different and new understanding
underneath it all. I'm much better
regarding life and death, a more
equipped if something similar should
compassionate view of my own and other
happen again and I appreciate the
peoples' mistakes. I have a deeper
lessons it taught me.
understanding about the law of karma and
One day I asked my teacher about an
I am learning how to truly forgive. I see
image I had seen during a sitting medita-
that everybody deserves a chance or
tion. She told me it symbolises three
maybe a few.
things: adultery (shamefully, true),
In the past I was often trying so hard to be
alcohol abuse (that too is true) and
good that I would suppress some negative
abortion (also true). At this point my
emotions, thinking “no, it's wrong to be
heart sank, I went cold and I realised the
angry or resentful�. Here I have had to
biggest thing I have learnt throughout
learn to feel these emotions in order to let
this discovery process is that I don't
them go, without acting on them, without
know very much at all. After the initial
shouting and screaming or being
basic course and five ten-day retreats I
aggressive. There are so many good
know that this is just the very beginning
people in the world dedicated to passing
of what I can really learn from myself,
on the teachings of Buddha. The lessons 43
In conversation with our editor, Sophie Jongman discusses her Rastafarian beliefs and how they help to sustain her creativity.
are timeless, pure, simple and unchanged. It is simply the Truth. I am not from a religious family, though I am fortunate enough to have parents who are kind and follow a moral code. If ever I have
My religious life came from an experience
another chance at becoming a parent, I
I had in 1999. I wasn’t born into a reli-
will without a doubt welcome those
gion. My parents were atheists. However,
children in to a world with Buddhism. I
I was in India and I had this desire to go to
wish that mindfulness was part of the
religious places. I didn’t know exactly
education system; it might have been the
what was going on but I went into a Hin-
very thing to keep me at school (I left at
du
thirteen).
temple. I was amazed at it, the size
of the gods, their beauty. Then I came to
The experience here has been a hard one,
a Ganesh (the Hindu elephant headed
at times scary and at times lonely, but I
god of wisdom) and suddenly my knees
know it is only good for me. I am more
went.
accepting of myself, and kinder to myself.
As I wasn’t born into a religion I had to
I take responsibility for my own suffering
choose and it took me about six years. Six
with a lot less blame. I am less greedy for
years of deliberation or trying to choose,
material objects, and notice that I am
which one, which Book? I was interested
often calmer and more at peace, but I
in them all, including Hinduism and I
also know there is still a lot of work to be
move in Christian circles but eventually I
done and so much more to learn. I feel
chose to be a Rastafarian. It’s a new
excited about my future, whatever it may
religion and it was oppositional to the
bring and I am incredibly grateful for
state in the West Indies and Jamaica.
where I am right now, in this present
Rastafarians were persecuted but I knew
moment.
some who had gone out of their way to
Vipassana means: to see things as they
help and instruct me.
truly are; the true nature of reality.
Rastafarianism bases itself on the Book of Revelations in the Bible. It’s one of the most significant pieces in the Bible and when I read it that was one of the reasons I chose to be a Rastafarian. When I read Revelations it meant everything to 44
Madonna, Sophie Jongman
me. It described my life.
take me seriously. They were quite
I don’t understand why people would be
dismissive and just made me jump
tormented by their religious beliefs but I
through hoops. If I wanted to get to God I
recognise that they are. Perhaps,
had to do this, this, and this – it took me
because I came into it later on in life, I
away from myself. If there is any torment
think it’s important to just find your own
in what religious people feel I imagine it’s
way. I think religious instruction is where
within that hierarchy of instruction.
the origin of torment can be. I went to
As for the role of women in Rastafarian-
church briefly but I found that they didn’t
ism … I don’t know. Drumming is 45
important within the religion and I have
teachings. Art comes from deep down,
heard that there are places where they
from inside oneself. I’m not West Indian,
don’t allow women to join in the
I can’t be that. I don’t have dreadlocks –
drumming. Yet there is a struggle anyway
it would pull my hair out! So it’s all about
for women in society, therefore for wom-
the stories. I’ve done various religious
en in religion too. I was drawn to religion
figures, John the Baptist and Jesus, with
because it gave me a sense of dignity. I
dreadlocks. So it comes out more literally
felt anger at the struggle at being
in my ceramics rather than my paintings.
oppressed and I found answers within the
I don’t force creativity at all and even
scriptures. It was something that relaxed
though I decided at the beginning I was
me. This is really controversial but the
going to have a general aim towards
scriptures say Adam came first. Once I
religious subjects, that’s something that
understood that, there was no battle. We
just fitted in my heart. When I’m going to
came from his rib. I know a lot of people
do something, it doesn’t come from my
think that’s baloney, but actually under-
head. I completely relax. Sometimes I
standing that it’s a man’s world helps me.
meditate. Actually I love blank canvases
My nature is to be very companionable. I
more than anything. Sometimes a scene
know I can be more than that but I love
will come and it’s not necessarily reli-
people and being a companion. Those
gious. I don’t push it on anyone that I’m a
religious stories help me to be as close to
Rastafarian but I took 6 years to choose it
my nature as possible.
so I think this is for life. It gives me sense
My art comes from within so I’ve made a
of purpose and dignity.
decision to do religious stories. At the time I was choosing my religion, I started
Living as a Phoenix … Gillian Lowther explains how she cherishes her Quaker faith.
doing art. I was fixated on art and it coincided with the decisions I was making about religion. I decided to purposely
It is very hard to summarise my spiritual
make it a theme. It was all new to me,
life, but there are some things I can say
religion and art so it was a way of
clearly. The first is that for me there is
discovering more.
no boundary between the sacred and
There are no separate religious stories in
the secular. To sit on the loo and
Rastafarianism, although some Rastafari-
breathe a thankful thought to Thomas
ans are more inclined towards Moslem
Crapper or Joseph Bazalgette is every bit
teachings, whereas I lean to the Christian 46
as sacred a moment as to marvel at the
believe in good?’ Have I got the vision to
dedication and craftsmanship of West-
see the smallest as well as the greatest
minster Abbey, the Neasden Temple, the
goodness? How wonderful that any Tom,
Lindisfarne Gospels or many similar
Dick and Harry were able to nominate the
wonders. Viewed this way, spirituality is
Olympic torch-bearers from the public,
life and life is spirituality. It is quintessen-
who had wrought unsung miracles in small
tially a process of mindful ‘worth’ship.
corners of our daily lives. How heart-
Moreover, the clearest way of perceiving
warming that it wasn’t just the millions of
it is in each other. As a Quaker, I am
the celebs that counted, but also the
sometimes asked if we believe Christ was
‘widow’s mite’!
the Son of God. Definitely, but so are we
To do this one needs to be ‘in tune’ with
all, though He was undoubtedly a fuller
life. It is this harmony I aim to achieve. It is
expression of it than me! But my goal in
a responsibility and a privilege that each
life is to realise this remarkable
individual, not just priests or intermediaries
opportunity as fully as possible, and
on our behalf, may have access to the
where possible to help others along the
spirit/Spirit, or whatever we may choose to
same journey, as I myself have been
call Him/Her/It. The paradox of life lies in
helped by innumerable people past and
the infinite
present.
can a butterfly emerge from a chrysalis?
I readily admit that there are many of all
How can this fragile being migrate to Africa
faiths who are more spiritual than me,
(painted lady butterflies)? How can a vul-
and better and more dedicated human
nerable flower push through apparently
beings. But the archetypal dying and
impenetrable surfaces? When the
rising so graphically expressed in so many
sion of this paradox is just right, one can
cultures in the form of the phoenix, and
move mountains. ‘Whatever you can do, or
in the Christian in the resurrection of
dream you can do, begin it, for boldness
Christ, to me implies amongst other
has power and magic in it.’ (Goethe). I
things, an imperative to recycle. An
recently read of an Australian Olympic
imperative and a power. All the deeds,
rowing champion (forget which year) who
words and thoughts that misfired can be
slowed his boat down mid-race in order to
recycled into something positive.
allow a family of ducks to pass in front of
Another question we are sometimes
his boat unharmed, and still won. He had
asked is ‘Do you believe in God?’ My
the genuine Olympic spirit, and the right
reply might be another question: ‘Do you
priorities. 47
nature of a finite being. How
ten-
Sophia Alba writes about the life and faith of Emma Darwin It has been more than 150 years since
but what about the great woman that is
Charles Darwin published the Origin of
meant to stand behind each great man?
Species and yet there continues to be an
What we often hear about Emma Darwin
ongoing battle between its supporters
(nee Wedgewood) is that she was a
and deniers. The evolution debate has
religious woman, married to the father of
largely been represented as a war
evolution. We are told that Charles
between progress (science) and tradition
Darwin held off from publishing his theory
(religion) and has led to fundamentalism
of evolution by natural selection for fear
on both sides. This metaphorical war has
of upsetting Emma and offending her
been perpetuated by both the atheist
religious sensibilities. According to such
fundamentalists who view atheism as a
accounts, it would appear that Emma and
natural consequence of evolution, and
her faith were more of a hindrance than a
also by creationists who deny the validity
help.
of the theory of evolution and see it as an
History is littered with the untold stories
attack upon religion.
of women, those stories that are over-
As evolution remains firmly in the politi-
shadowed by their husbands and by their
cal realm, optimizing the science vs. reli-
obligations. Yet there are lives that are
gion wars, we are presented with a num-
uncovered in the forms of diaries and
ber of images. Today, the opposition to-
letters; fragments of joys, lamentations
wards evolution serves to promote the
and bravery that are like treasures un-
image of scientists having to struggle
earthed. It is through these precious
against the overarching religious authority
gems, that we are able to catch a glimpse
on their quest for truth. This romantic
of a shadowed past. As we piece together
image of the sole scientist standing
an image of such lives from these literary
against the tyranny of religious authority
fragments, a new history reveals itself.
is one that is often evoked in the current
Charles Darwin as an icon of power
debates
surrounding evolution. What is
What Darwin managed to do, which in
for certain is that Charles Darwin has be-
turn leant him the title as the father of
come an icon of power for both sides,
evolution, was to articulate the process 48
by which evolution could occur, i.e.
to Darwin’s theory and indeed, Darwin’s
natural selection, and provide empirical
own motivations. Darwin described
evidence in support of his claims through
himself as an agonistic and hesitated in
careful observation and committed
publishing his theory for 20 years for fear
efforts. In doing so, Darwin transformed
of the reaction to it by scientists, atheists
the perception of nature as it went from
and the clergy alike. The fact that Darwin
being passive to being an active principle
was buried as a hero at Westminster
in which the notion of harmony was
Abbey should also be cause for more
replaced with one of struggle.
caution when discussing the Church’s
We are led to believe that there was a
attitudes towards his ideas.
complete rejection of Darwin's theory by
Emma
the religious authorities at the time.
Charles Darwin and Emma Wedgewood
Whilst some did take issue with the
were 1st cousins, and were married in
suggestion that humans shared a com-
1839. Emma was 31 when they married,
mon ancestry with the great apes, there
but before she became a Darwin, Emma
were others who tried to reconcile the
had her own history. She had travelled
theory with their religious beliefs,
around Europe, visiting museums, operas
including the Harvard professor, Asa
and balls. She was a skilled pianist, having
Gray.
been tutored by Chopin, and continued to
Many Atheists, on the other hand, saw
play the piano for Charles into old age.
Darwin’s theory as a triumph and a blow
Emma, along with her family, was actively
to religion. Darwin’s close friends, Joseph
involved in the anti-slavery campaign and
Hooker and Thomas Huxley were active
she would often listen into parliamentary
defenders of evolution. Huxley, known as
debate from the balconies at the House
Darwin’s bulldog, is often quoted as
of Commons. When Emma was 16,
battling against Bishop Wilberforce in the
tragedy struck when her beloved sister
great Oxford debate of 1860, in what is
died, probably to cholera. It was in the
portrayed as the heroic battle of scientific
midst of that tragedy that Emma found
truth against an overpowering Church. It
solace and comfort in faith.
is a powerful image that is often quoted
Emma was a Unitarian, a dissenting sect
in support of the Church’s opposition to
of Christianity that holds that Jesus was a
the theory, but one that ignores the
prophet and therefore not divine, and
underlying complexities of the reactions
denies the trinity and claims to adhere to 49
monotheism. The Unitarians espouse a
that they be open with one another. She
liberal philosophy, emphasizing the im-
accepted Charles’ skepticism and made it
portance of individual reasoning and also
clear that she wished for him to believe
believe that faith and reason are compli-
as she did. Before their wedding, Charles’
mentary, as are religion and science.
father, Robert Darwin, had warned him
Later in life, Emma Darwin attended an
against telling Emma about his religious
Anglican church in Downe, as there was
doubts, but Charles ignored his father’s
no Unitarian church in the locality.
advice and confessed all to Emma. In
Although she attended every Sunday and
response, Emma wrote:
was actively involved in the church’s
‘When I am with you I think all
social projects such as feeding the poor,
melancholy thoughts keep out of my head
Emma was adherent to her Unitarian
but since you are gone some sad ones
principles. Every Sunday, when the Trini-
have forced themselves in, of fear that
tarian Nicene Creed was recited, Emma
our opinions on the most important
made sure that she, along with all her
subject should differ widely. My reason
children would turn around and face the
tells me that honest and conscientious
opposite way. This minor protest occurred
doubts cannot be a sin, but I feel it would
much to the annoyance of the congrega-
be a painful void between us.’
tion and the embarrassment of her
Once married, they would often spend
children, who at a young age, probably
time reading and discussing modern
simply wanted to fit in. Such a courageous
religious writers such as James Martineau
act, however, sheds light onto the depths
or John Newman. Rather than hiding his
of her convictions.
theories from her, Emma became
Mrs & Mr Darwin
Charles’ editor and conscience in many
Emma was not a blind follower and
ways. They often spent hours discussing
instead was a woman who held to her
his theories, as Emma would put forward
faith as one who has reached it through
possible religious arguments and
their own efforts. In the early years of
questions.
their marriage, Charles and Emma
Emma and Charles Darwin had ten
discussed religion openly, something
children together, three of whom died in
Emma was insistent upon. Emma feared
childhood. Annie, their second child, died
their differences in belief may cause a rift
at the age of ten, probably to Scarlet
between them and so was determined
fever. Her death had a significant impact 50
on the household and it is believed that
response to his book engulfed him.
Charles turned away from religion upon
Emma found it easier to express her feel-
the death of his daughter who would
ings in a letter she wrote to him.
have been their ‘solace in old age’. Emma
‘When I see your patience, deep compas-
was heavily pregnant with their fifth child
sion for others, self command and above
when Annie became ill, and was unable to
all gratitude for the smallest thing done
travel to Malvern where Charles took her
to help you I cannot help longing that
to consult with a doctor. Charles had to
these precious feelings should be offered
bury Annie alone and Emma was never
to Heaven for the sake of your daily
able to say farewell at her daughter’s
happiness. But I find it difficult enough in
funeral.
my own case….. It is a feeling and not
They raised their children in a non-
reasoning that drives one to prayer.’
authoritarian way and Emma schooled
Charles was obviously moved by his
them at home in their large house in
wife’s words, writing ‘God bless you’ with
Downe, Kent. The house was often turned
a shaky hand at the bottom of the letter.
into a laboratory or animal breeding
In his autobiography, Charles labels him-
ground, as Charles worked incessantly at
self an agnostic, something that leads us
collecting evidence in support of his
away from the black and white, into the
theory.
grey. Perhaps it is in the ambiguity of personal history that the truth of Charles’
For much of their marriage, Charles
faith will remain, as will the secrets of his
suffered from an illness that affected him
marriage to Emma. Whilst certainty and
terribly. It was believed to be linked to
faith was something that divided them,
over-work, although many people
their relationship seems to be one of
theorise that it may have been a virus he
mutual respect, love and compassion.
picked up on his voyage to South America
And a new form of image arises, one far
on HMS Beagle. Whatever the cause may
removed from the starkness of the
have been, Emma showed a considerable
political battles, and we are able to see a
amount of patience and compassion as
more human side to the story, and see
she nursed and comforted him through
that every relationship, whether in the
the years, sometimes holding him
past or present, is presented with chal-
through the night as he convulsed in pain.
lenges and differences and it is how each
In 1863, Charles Darwin was on the verge
party approaches these potential rifts
of nervous collapse as worry over the
that determines their history. 51
If you've been asleep until now, brace yourself, warns Esha Mirari. In two days’ time, the world is going to end. Repeat ... the world is going to end .
culprits but by the unhinged lives who interpret the messages, contents, and subtexts, literally without knowledge of the underlying motives and manipulations of real-life plots and scenarios. The Mayan Prophecy has been exaggerated to such a degree that even NASA has prepared a 'Doomsday Fact-sheet' stating very clearly that
If you've been asleep until now, brace yourself
there is no forthcoming doom for this tragic but
because in two days’ time, the world is going to
glorious world. So unfortunately for those who
end. Repeat: the world is going to end in two
have death and disaster wishes, there is no
days’ time. That is apparently the message
rogue planet heading our way, there are no
those pesky Mayans have left us. According to
sophisticated planetary alignments, no polar
their calculations, on the 21st of December this
shifts or movements of Earth on its axis, there
year, at the exact time of 11.11, during the
will be no sudden solar outburst, and there
festivities of the Winter Solstice and our
certainly will not be any cataclysmic earthly
impending Christmas celebrations, the world
event that will swipe away the human race.
will end.
NASA says: 'the idea of the sudden end of the
Despair!
world by any cause is absurd. The Earth has
You should regret all of that effort you have put
been here for more than 4 billion years, and it
into buying last minute presents. What a waste
will be several more billion years before the
of time it has been. Instead you could have pre-
gradual brightening of the Sun makes our planet
pared yourselves like sensible people in other
unliveable. Meanwhile there is no known
parts of the world who have been investing
astronomical or geological threat that could
their hard earned money in survival kits, shel-
destroy the Earth.'
ters, candles and tinned foods. Go ahead and
In fact to put it another way, the Mayans
kick yourself if you've worked hard all year for
predicted no such thing either. Like other New
that nice vacation away with the family– it's not
Age theories, the only thing they point toward is
going to happen, and don't even think about it
a cataclysmic event in human consciousness, a
now because it is too late, but if you had been
transformation from one system of thought to-
awake to it, you could have been better
ward another. Now that's not such a bad idea is
organised to mobilise yourself on a sacred
it, especially in these times when the world
mountaintop for Aliens to rescue you. There's
needs a little wake-up? With that thought all of
no point to any of it now, the world is about to
that other nonsense can be put aside. Planetary
end.
alignments, collisions, black holes are myths and
Well, at least that's what the Hollywood movie
legends borne out of imaginative minds to keep
2012 directed by Roland Emmerich, has told us
us entertained. There will be no turbulent event
(we were warned). Of course it's no news to
on earth, not any other than those that have
read that Hollywood monopolises on any idea
already been coming and going for quite some
that has the potential to bring profits via
time now and those are likely to continue for a
scaremongering tactics or that the actual cost of
while longer while we get our acts together on
this sensationalism is never quite paid by the
issues much closer to home. 52
Two years after the Arab Spring, we explore iconic images of protest and consider the roles women take in revolution and war.
53
Pink Elephant, 2010, size 150×100 × 30 (cm), Silicone, Jesmonite by Ayuko Sigiura (WW Gallery) 54
Needs Must, by Ruth Geldard, Freeze dried shrews, dolls' house beds, fabric, stuffing, pins (2010 ) 55
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and wishing you the very best 2013 56