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Inhumanity of distancing

I started painting this work in progress for a class, to illustrate a certain technique with water-based media. But this painting also epitomizes the predominate lesson we are now learning globally: the lesson of the inhumanity of distancing.

random detached organic and geometric forms on white background
work in progress-inhumanity of distancing by Anne Bell 2020

For many reasons, including technology and politics, we have become ensiloed individuals. We live in our own personal echo chambers and derive an illusory sense of security.  When we are not at ease living among people, including those who are different from us, the inhumanity of distancing can happen. It can happen very subtly.

The inhumanity of distancing separates us from other people. Such distancing creates anxiety and fear. In our fear and culturally-driven fragmentation, we may begin to view other people as different, and perhaps undesirable. We may even start to view other people as not fully human.

How can this be? How can it be changed? Where are our opportunities to draw closer, to break bread, to get to know one another in all our imperfections?

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Fragments of self

This global crisis of separation impacts each of us as individuals. We each find our own self inevitably separated, even fragmented. We are not complete without one another.

Fragments of Self-work in progress, by Anne Bell 2020

In my gouache painting, a work in progress, you see how the cat is uncomfortable. It is not yet fully a cat because it exists in somewhat loosely detached pieces, arranged in proximity to one another.

Such proximity implies relationship among the fragments, which our eyes want to complete. In fact, they jump to that conclusion and “recognize” a cat.

Yet it is only the semblance of a cat. There is no context, no background, no community. This cat is isolated by its fragmented self.

Will the cat eventually defragment itself? Will it become whole?

 

 

 

 

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Fragmentation

three yellow white blue flowers in a pink vase awkwardly compressed by the hard edges of the paper

I am concerned about the fragmentation of our communities, both locally and on a global scale. Today we seem to live widely separated lives, immune from feeling obligated to meet and acknowledge one another’s humanity.

This crisis of separation, and the inhumanity of distancing from one another is confronted in my artwork.

three yellow white blue flowers in a pink vase awkwardly compressed by the hard edges of the paper
2020 three flowers by anne bell-gouache painting on cardstock
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Fourth Sunday of Advent

and all is well! This is my first blog post, so I feel excited and a little shy.

Looking forward to Christmas with great happiness.

I hope the season brings you happiness as well!

Reflecting on a mother’s love, I painted this in gouache on watercolor paper, 5 x 7″.