“If you try to change it, you will ruin it. Try to hold it, and you will lose it.”
-Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
It can’t be denied that a rather large part of life is about accepting the things that happen outside of our control and how to let go and accept. While perhaps the most prevalent piece of our existence, it is perhaps one of the most difficult. We are, by nature, a species that likes to take comfort in our ability to manipulate the environments in which we move. The temperature, the aesthetics, all the little details that are within our ability to adjust. But the most significant things sit well outside that comfortable ability to maintain.
Polina Barskaya joined us from Italy to discuss her show, Intimism, on view at Monya Rowe Gallery until October 21. The title refers to an artistic movement that depicts intimate views of domestic life. This resonated with Barskaya who had been having some misgivings about whether it was acceptable to paint the scenes she wanted of her family and home life. To learn more about the art, artist and movement, listen to the complete interview.
Keiran Brennan Hinton sat down to chat about his show, A Break in the Clouds, on view at Charles Moffett Gallery until October 21. The title speaks to Hinton’s process of painting from light and the way in which, when there is a break in the clouds, and the light becomes dappled, there is a fleeting moment before it changes again. The reference points for these works were both this experience of this plein air work and the first line of the poem Simple by Raymond Carver. To learn more, listen to the complete interview.
A few words to keep in your pocket
Begin by learning to let go.
Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android, please click here. All weekly essay pieces in a shareable format are here. The full archive of interviews is here.
Books to Read
What are you reading? Add your titles to our reading list here. Polina Barskaya refers to the writings of Robert Hughes.
The Circ Artist Grant provides unrestricted funding to artists with a demonstrated commitment to their art. For the Fall 2023 cycle, three artists will be awarded $1000 each to enhance and further their creative practice. To learn more and apply, visit the website. Deadline is October 15.
Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis for Aesthetics. He has written six books for artists, most recently Making it in the Art World.